Sometimes in life, you find a special friend;
Someone who changes your life just by being part of it.
Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop;
Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it.
Always try to help a friend in need
Believe in yourself
Be brave... but it's ok to be afraid sometimes
Study hard
Give lots of kisses
Laugh often
Don't be overly concerned with your weight, it's just a number
Always try to see the glass half full
Meet new people, even if they look different to you
Remain calm, even when it seems hopeless
Take lots of naps...
Be weird whenever you have the chance
Love your friends, no matter who they are
Don't waste food
RELAX
Take an occasional risk
Try to have a little fun each day.... it's important
Work together as a team
Share a joke with friends
Fall in love with someone..... and say "I love you" often
Express yourself creatively
It's ok to be rounded
Always be up for surprises
Love someone with all your heart
Share with friends
Watch your step
It will get better
There is always someone who loves you more than you know
Exercise to keep fit
Live up to your name
Seize the Moment
Hold on to good friends; they are few and far between
Indulge in the things you truly love
Cherish every Sunday
At the end of the day.... PRAY
And smile at least once a day!
Monday, October 30
Thursday, October 26
Saturday, October 21
Love is...
Love is strong yet delicate.
It can be easily broken.
To truly love is to understand this.
How very true...
It can be easily broken.
To truly love is to understand this.
How very true...
Wednesday, October 18
A Beautiful Letter...
Sally jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: "How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?"
The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it."
Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?"
The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university."
Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good-bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair.
"Would you like a lock of his hair?" the nurse asked.
Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. The mother said, "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the university for study. He said it might help somebody else. "I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom." She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could."
Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.
It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said:
"Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say I LOVE YOU. I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly.
And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures... Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him! , like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good-bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'Where was He when I needed him?' "God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children.
Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm, sure the food will be great.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?
Signed with Love from:
God, Jesus & Me
The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it."
Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?"
The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university."
Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good-bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair.
"Would you like a lock of his hair?" the nurse asked.
Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. The mother said, "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the university for study. He said it might help somebody else. "I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom." She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could."
Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.
It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said:
"Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say I LOVE YOU. I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly.
And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures... Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him! , like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good-bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'Where was He when I needed him?' "God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children.
Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm, sure the food will be great.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?
Signed with Love from:
God, Jesus & Me
Wednesday, October 11
Maya Angelou... woman of wisdom
In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday.
Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was "exciting."
Regarding body changes, she said there were many changes, occurring every day... like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.
The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!
Maya Angelou said this:
"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."
"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."
"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."
"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."
"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."
"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."
"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."
"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."
"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."
"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Many words of wisdom indeed... I totally agree whole-heartedly!
Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was "exciting."
Regarding body changes, she said there were many changes, occurring every day... like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.
The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!
Maya Angelou said this:
"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."
"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."
"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."
"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."
"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."
"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."
"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."
"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."
"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."
"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Many words of wisdom indeed... I totally agree whole-heartedly!
Monday, October 9
To a beautiful woman...
Below is a wonderful poem Audrey Hepburn wrote when asked to share her "beauty tips." It was read at her funeral years later.
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness...
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone...
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands;
one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness...
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone...
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands;
one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.
Saturday, October 7
Love is...
Each year he sent her roses, and the note would always say, "I love you even more this year, than last year on this day. My love for you will always grow, with every passing year."
She knew this was the last time that the roses would appear. She thought, he ordered roses in advance before this day. Her loving husband did not know, that he would pass away. He always liked to do things early, way before the time. Then, if he got too busy, everything would work out fine.
She trimmed the stems and placed them in a very special vase. Then, sat the vase beside the portrait of his smiling face. She would sit for hours, in her husband's favorite chair. While staring at his picture, and the roses sitting there.
A year went by, and it was to live without her mate. With loneliness and solitude, that had become her fate. Then, at the very hour, the doorbell rang, and there were roses sitting by her door. She brought the roses in, and then just looked at them in shock. Then, went to get the telephone, to call the florist shop. The owner answered, and she asked him, if he would explain, Why would someone would do this to her, causing her such pain?
"I know your husband passed away, more than a year ago," the owner said, "and I knew you'd call, and you would want to know. The flowers you received today, were paid for in advance. Your husband always planned ahead, he left nothing to chance. There is a standing order, that I have on file down here. And he has paid, well in advance, you'll get them every year. There also is another thing, that I think you should know, He wrote a special little card... he did this years ago. Then, should ever I find out that he's no longer here, that's the card that should be sent to you the following year."
She thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now flowing hard. Her fingers shaking, as she slowly reached to get the card. Inside the card, she saw that he had written her a note. Then, as she stared in total silence, this is what he wrote... "Hello my love, I know it's been a year since I've been gone. I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome. I know it must be lonely, and the pain is very real. Or if it was the other way, I know how I would feel. The love we shared made everything so beautiful in life. I loved you more than words can say, you were the perfect wife. You were my friend and lover, you fulfilled my every need. I know it's only been a year, but please try not to grieve. I want you to be happy, even when you shed your tears. That is why the roses will be sent to you for years. When you get these roses, think of all the happiness that we had together, and how both of us were blessed. I have always loved you and I know I always will. But, my love, you must go on, you have some living still. Please try to find happiness, while living out your days. I know it is not easy, but I hope you find some ways. The roses will come every year, and they will only stop, When your door's not answered, when the florist stops to knock. He will come five times that day, in case you have gone out. But after his last visit, he will know without a doubt! To take the roses to the place, where I've instructed him and place the roses where we are, together once again." Sometimes in life, you find a special friend;
Someone who changes your life just by being part of it.
Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop;
Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it.
Friday, October 6
Men Are Hard To Please...
The problems with GUYS:
If u TREAT him nicely, he says u are IN LOVE with him;
If u Don't, he says u are PROUD.
If u DRESS Nicely, he says u are trying to LURE him;
If u Don't , he says u are from VILLAGE.
If u ARGUE with him, he says u are STUBBORN ; If u keep QUIET, he says u have no BRAINS .
If u are SMARTER than him, he'll lose FACE;
If he's Smarter than u, he is GREAT .
If u don't Love him, he tries to POSSESS u;
If u Love him! , he will try to LEAVE u. (very true huh?)
If u don't make love with him., he says u don't Love him;
If u do!! he says u are CHEAP.
If u tell him your PROBLEM, he says u are TROUBLESOME;
If u don't, he says that u don't TRUST him.
If u SCOLD him, u are like a NANNY to him;
If he SCOLDS u, it is because he CARES for u.
If u BREAK your PROMISE, u Cannot be TRUSTED;
If he BREAKS his, he is FORCED to do so.
If u SMOKE, u are BAD girl;
If he SMOKES, he is GENTLEMAN.
If u do WELL in your exams, he says it's LUCK;
If he does WELL, it's BRAINS.
If u HURT him, u are CRUEL;
If he HURTS u, u are too SENSITIVE!! & sooo hard to please!!!!!
If u TREAT him nicely, he says u are IN LOVE with him;
If u Don't, he says u are PROUD.
If u DRESS Nicely, he says u are trying to LURE him;
If u Don't , he says u are from VILLAGE.
If u ARGUE with him, he says u are STUBBORN ; If u keep QUIET, he says u have no BRAINS .
If u are SMARTER than him, he'll lose FACE;
If he's Smarter than u, he is GREAT .
If u don't Love him, he tries to POSSESS u;
If u Love him! , he will try to LEAVE u. (very true huh?)
If u don't make love with him., he says u don't Love him;
If u do!! he says u are CHEAP.
If u tell him your PROBLEM, he says u are TROUBLESOME;
If u don't, he says that u don't TRUST him.
If u SCOLD him, u are like a NANNY to him;
If he SCOLDS u, it is because he CARES for u.
If u BREAK your PROMISE, u Cannot be TRUSTED;
If he BREAKS his, he is FORCED to do so.
If u SMOKE, u are BAD girl;
If he SMOKES, he is GENTLEMAN.
If u do WELL in your exams, he says it's LUCK;
If he does WELL, it's BRAINS.
If u HURT him, u are CRUEL;
If he HURTS u, u are too SENSITIVE!! & sooo hard to please!!!!!
Thursday, October 5
Are You Masculine or Feminine?
| You Are 83% Feminine, 17% Masculine |
 You are totally in touch with your feminine side. Chances are, you are a very typical woman. And if you're a guy, then you're just super sensitive. |
How You Are In Love
| How You Are In Love |
 You take a while to fall in love with someone. Trust takes time. You give and take equally in relationships. You need your space and privacy. You don't like to be smothered. You love your partner unconditionally and don't try to make them change. You stay in love for a long time, even if you aren't loved back. When you fall, you fall hard. |
Wednesday, October 4
Our own 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 a dedicated career. When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. So it is with us.
We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then with a shock we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we'd do it much differently. But we cannot go back.
You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. "Life is a do-it-yourself project," someone has said. Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the "house" you live in tomorrow. Always do the best you can. Build wisely!!!!
Happiness keeps you sweet,
Trials keep you strong,
Sorrows keep you human,
Failures keeps you humble,
Success keeps you glowing,
But only God keeps you going!
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 a dedicated career. When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. So it is with us.
We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then with a shock we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we'd do it much differently. But we cannot go back.
You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. "Life is a do-it-yourself project," someone has said. Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the "house" you live in tomorrow. Always do the best you can. Build wisely!!!!
Happiness keeps you sweet,
Trials keep you strong,
Sorrows keep you human,
Failures keeps you humble,
Success keeps you glowing,
But only God keeps you going!
Tuesday, October 3
Never doubt the Word of God!!!
It is written in the Bible (Galatians 6:7) : " Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Here are some men and women who mocked God :
JOHN LENNON:
Some years before during his interview with an American Magazine, he said, "Christianity will end, it will disappear. I do not have to argue about that. I am certain. Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple. Today we are more famous than Him." (1966) Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times.
TANCREDO NEVES:
During the Presidential campaign, he said if he got 500 votes from his party, not even God would remove him from Presidency. Sure he got the votes, but he got sick a day before being made President, then he died.
CAZUZA:
During a show in Canecão ( Rio de Janeiro ), whilst smoking his cigarette, he puffed out some smoke into the air and said, "God, that's for you." I can't even explain how he died.
THE MAN WHO BUILT TITANIC:
After the construction of Titanic, a reporter asked him how safe the Titanic would be. With an ironic tone he said, "Not even God can sink it!" I think you all know what happened to the Titanic.
MARILYN MONROE:
She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a show. He is a preacher and Evangelist and the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her. After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said, "I don't need your Jesus." A week later, she was found dead in her apartment.
BON SCOTT:
The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he sang, "Don´t stop me, I´m going down all the way, wow the highway to hell". On the 19th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, he had been choked by his vomit.
CAMPINAS (SPAIN) in 2005:
In Campinas, a group of friends, drunk, went to pick up a friend. The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the daughter, holding her hand, who was already seated in the car, "My daughter, go with God and may he protect you."
Her daughter responded, "Only if God travels in the boot coz inside here, it's already full." Hours later, news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had died. The car could not be recognized what type of car it had been, but surprisingly, the boot was intact.
The police said there was no way the boot could have remained intact. To their surprise, inside the boot was a crate of eggs, none was broken.
Many more important people have forgotten that there is no other name that was given so much authority as the name of Jesus. Many have died, but only Jesus died and rose again, and he is still alive.
Jesus said, "If you get embarrassed about me, I will also get embarrassed about you before my father."
What can man give in exchange of his soul? (Mathew 16:26)
What benefit does it have, if a man gains the whole world but loses his soul?
Monday, October 2
Raising Your Level of Expectancy
An old adage purports that if you want to be successful, you must follow your dreams. While I’d never suggest that anyone should abandon his or her dreams, the truth is, your life will follow your expectations. What you expect is what you will get. If you dwell on positive thoughts, your life will move in that direction; if you continually think negative thoughts, you will live a negative life. If you expect defeat, failure, or mediocrity, your subconscious mind will make sure that you lose, fail, or sabotage every attempt to push above average. That’s why one of the key elements to enlarging your vision is raising your level of expectancy. You have to change your thinking before you can ever change your living.
Program Your Mind for Success
It’s important that you program your mind for success. That won’t happen automatically. Each day, you must choose to live with an attitude that expects good things to happen to you. The Bible says, “Set your mind and keep it set on the higher things.”’ When you get up in the morning, the first thing you should do is set your mind in the right direction. Say something such as “This is going to be a great day. God is guiding and directing my steps. His favor is surrounding me. Goodness and mercy are following me. I’m excited about today!” Start your day with faith and expectancy, and then go out anticipating good things. Expect circumstances to change in your favor. Expect people to go out of their way to help you. Expect to be at the right place at the right time.
Expect things to change in your favor
Perhaps you work in sales, and you are scheduled to give an important presentation. You’re really hoping to snag that big contract. Don’t be surprised if you hear a voice whispering in your mind, You don’t have a chance. This is going to he a lousy day for you. Nothing good ever happens to you. You might as well not even get your hopes up. That way, when you don’t get that great contract, you won’t be too disappointed.
Don’t listen to such lies! God wants you to get your hopes up. We can’t even have faith without hope. The Bible says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for,” and one definition of that sort of hope is “confident expectancy.” We should get up in the morning confidently expecting the favor of God. Start expecting doors of opportunity to open for you. Expect to excel in your career. Expect to rise above life’s challenges.
God usually meets us at our level of expectancy
God usually meets us at our level of expectancy. If you don’t develop the habit of expecting good things to come your way, then you’re not likely to receive anything good. If you don’t expect things to get better, they probably won’t. If all you expect is more of the same, that’s all you’re going to have. Our expectations set the boundaries for our lives. Jesus said, “According to your faith... be it done to you.” In other words, “Have what your faith expects.”
Some people tend to expect the worst. They go around with that “poor-old-me mentality,” always negative, always depressed. “God, why don’t You do something about my situation?” they grouse. “This is not fair!” They have what their faith expects.
Other people honestly feel so overwhelmed by their troubles, they have difficulty believing that anything good could happen to them. You hear them saying things such as, “Oh, I’ve got so many problems. My marriage is in trouble. My children won’t do right. My business isn’t doing well. My health is going downhill. How can I live with enthusiasm? How do you expect me to get up and say this is going to be a good day, when I have this big mess on my hands?”
Friend, that’s what faith is all about. You have to start believing that good things are coming your way, and they will!
What are you expecting in life? Are you anticipating good things or bad things, significance or mediocrity? Are you expecting things to change in your favor? Are you expecting to experience the goodness of God? Or are you allowing your circumstances or feelings to dull your enthusiasm for life and imprison you in a negative frame of mind?
Program Your Mind for Success
It’s important that you program your mind for success. That won’t happen automatically. Each day, you must choose to live with an attitude that expects good things to happen to you. The Bible says, “Set your mind and keep it set on the higher things.”’ When you get up in the morning, the first thing you should do is set your mind in the right direction. Say something such as “This is going to be a great day. God is guiding and directing my steps. His favor is surrounding me. Goodness and mercy are following me. I’m excited about today!” Start your day with faith and expectancy, and then go out anticipating good things. Expect circumstances to change in your favor. Expect people to go out of their way to help you. Expect to be at the right place at the right time.
Expect things to change in your favor
Perhaps you work in sales, and you are scheduled to give an important presentation. You’re really hoping to snag that big contract. Don’t be surprised if you hear a voice whispering in your mind, You don’t have a chance. This is going to he a lousy day for you. Nothing good ever happens to you. You might as well not even get your hopes up. That way, when you don’t get that great contract, you won’t be too disappointed.
Don’t listen to such lies! God wants you to get your hopes up. We can’t even have faith without hope. The Bible says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for,” and one definition of that sort of hope is “confident expectancy.” We should get up in the morning confidently expecting the favor of God. Start expecting doors of opportunity to open for you. Expect to excel in your career. Expect to rise above life’s challenges.
God usually meets us at our level of expectancy
God usually meets us at our level of expectancy. If you don’t develop the habit of expecting good things to come your way, then you’re not likely to receive anything good. If you don’t expect things to get better, they probably won’t. If all you expect is more of the same, that’s all you’re going to have. Our expectations set the boundaries for our lives. Jesus said, “According to your faith... be it done to you.” In other words, “Have what your faith expects.”
Some people tend to expect the worst. They go around with that “poor-old-me mentality,” always negative, always depressed. “God, why don’t You do something about my situation?” they grouse. “This is not fair!” They have what their faith expects.
Other people honestly feel so overwhelmed by their troubles, they have difficulty believing that anything good could happen to them. You hear them saying things such as, “Oh, I’ve got so many problems. My marriage is in trouble. My children won’t do right. My business isn’t doing well. My health is going downhill. How can I live with enthusiasm? How do you expect me to get up and say this is going to be a good day, when I have this big mess on my hands?”
Friend, that’s what faith is all about. You have to start believing that good things are coming your way, and they will!
What are you expecting in life? Are you anticipating good things or bad things, significance or mediocrity? Are you expecting things to change in your favor? Are you expecting to experience the goodness of God? Or are you allowing your circumstances or feelings to dull your enthusiasm for life and imprison you in a negative frame of mind?
Sunday, October 1
Revolutionary way to church offering...
AT this church, worshippers do not have to wait for the offering bags to be passed around to present their offerings.Instead, they just have to step up to one of three giving kiosks in the lobby of the Stevens Creek Community Church Georgia in the US reported the Los Angeles Times.
The kiosks are sleek black pedestals topped with a computer screen, numeric keypads and magnetic-strip readers. Yes, the kiosks are automated teller machines. Churchgoer Josh Marshall steps up to one of the kiosks, pulls out a bank card and punches in some numbers. Out pops a receipt, and Mr Marshall's US$400 ($635) donation to the church is processed. He said: 'I paid for (petrol) today with a card, and got lunch with one.This is really no different.'
NO CASH IN WALLETS
Pastor Marty Baker came up with the kiosk idea a couple of years ago. The church had just launched a US$3-million building drive, and the pastor noticed that few people carried cash in their wallets for the church offering. That was when he began studying electronic payments. He designed his machine with the help of a computer programmer who attends the same church and found ATM companies willing to assemble it for him.
Early last year, the first machine appeared in the church. Since then, kiosk giving has gradually gained acceptance among the members. The three kiosks are expected to take in between US$200,000 and US$240,000 this year - about 15 per cent of the church's total donations. Pastor Baker said: 'It's truly like an ATM for Jesus.'
And now Pastor Baker and his wife are selling the kiosks to other churches through their for-profit company, SecureGive. The kiosks can let donors designate their gift as a regular tithe or offering, or direct it to building or missionary funds. The machines then send information about the donation to a central church computer system, which can send donors an e-mail confirmation.
And the Bakers have another idea: Donation machines attached to the backs of pews.
Hmmmm... interesting but nothing new in my church... ;P
The kiosks are sleek black pedestals topped with a computer screen, numeric keypads and magnetic-strip readers. Yes, the kiosks are automated teller machines. Churchgoer Josh Marshall steps up to one of the kiosks, pulls out a bank card and punches in some numbers. Out pops a receipt, and Mr Marshall's US$400 ($635) donation to the church is processed. He said: 'I paid for (petrol) today with a card, and got lunch with one.This is really no different.'
NO CASH IN WALLETS
Pastor Marty Baker came up with the kiosk idea a couple of years ago. The church had just launched a US$3-million building drive, and the pastor noticed that few people carried cash in their wallets for the church offering. That was when he began studying electronic payments. He designed his machine with the help of a computer programmer who attends the same church and found ATM companies willing to assemble it for him.
Early last year, the first machine appeared in the church. Since then, kiosk giving has gradually gained acceptance among the members. The three kiosks are expected to take in between US$200,000 and US$240,000 this year - about 15 per cent of the church's total donations. Pastor Baker said: 'It's truly like an ATM for Jesus.'
And now Pastor Baker and his wife are selling the kiosks to other churches through their for-profit company, SecureGive. The kiosks can let donors designate their gift as a regular tithe or offering, or direct it to building or missionary funds. The machines then send information about the donation to a central church computer system, which can send donors an e-mail confirmation.
And the Bakers have another idea: Donation machines attached to the backs of pews.
Hmmmm... interesting but nothing new in my church... ;P
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
