Barry Goldwater, quoted in the Port Huron, MI, Times Herald: "To disagree, one doesn't have to be disagreeable."
Ingrid Bergman, quoted in the Irish Independent: "Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get."
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Then and Now
Fifty years ago:
Muslim #1 "We're too afraid to send Muslims to America"
Muslim #2 "Why?"
Muslim #1 "They'd convert our people to Jesus"
TODAY:
Muslim #1 "We're going to make America a Muslim nation!!!"
Muslim #2 "What happened?"
Muslim #1 "They outlawed Jesus and made Him politically incorrect. Our opposition has been removed."
Muslim #1 "We're too afraid to send Muslims to America"
Muslim #2 "Why?"
Muslim #1 "They'd convert our people to Jesus"
TODAY:
Muslim #1 "We're going to make America a Muslim nation!!!"
Muslim #2 "What happened?"
Muslim #1 "They outlawed Jesus and made Him politically incorrect. Our opposition has been removed."
Friday, August 26, 2011
The Pink Dress
There was this little girl sitting by herself in the park. Everyone passed by her and never stopped to see why she looked so sad...
Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat and watched the people go by. She never tried to speak. She never said a word. Many people passed by her, but no one would stop.
The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see If the little girl would still be there.
Yes, she was there, right in the very spot where she was yesterday, and still with the same sad look in her eyes.
Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl. For as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone.
As I got closer I could see the back of the little girl's dress. It was grotesquely shaped. I figured that was the reason people just passed by and made no effort to speak to her.
Deformities are a low blow to our society and, heaven forbid if you make a step toward assisting someone who is different.
As I got closer, the little girl lowered her eyes slightly to avoid my intent stare. As I approached her, I could see the shape of her back more clearly. She was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form.
I smiled to let her know it was OK; I was there to help, to talk. I sat down beside her and opened with a simple, 'Hello'.
The little girl acted shocked, and stammered a 'hi '; after a long stare into my eyes. I smiled and she shyly smiled back. We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty.
I asked the girl why she was so sad. The little girl looked at me with a sad face said, 'Because, I'm different..'
I immediately said, 'That you are!'; and smiled. The little girl acted even sadder and said, 'I know..'
'Little girl,' I said, 'you remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent.' She looked at me and smiled, then slowly she got to her feet and Said, 'Really?'
'Yes, you're like a little Guardian Angel sent to watch over all the people walking by.'
She nodded her head yes, and smiled. With that she opened the back of her pink dress and allowed her wings to spread, then she said 'I am.'
'I'm your Guardian Angel,' with a twinkle in her eye.
I was speechless -- sure I was seeing things.
She said, 'For once you thought of someone other than yourself. My job here is done'..... .
I got to my feet and said, 'Wait, why did no one stop to help an Angel?'
She looked at me, smiled, and said, 'You're the only one that could see me,' and then she was gone. And with that, my life was changed dramatically.
So, when you think you're all you have, remember, your angel is always watching over you. Like the story says, we all need someone...
And, every one of your friends is an Angel in their own way. The value of a friend is measured in the heart.
I hope your Guardian Angel watches over you always.
Matthew 25:
36 'I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
40 "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat and watched the people go by. She never tried to speak. She never said a word. Many people passed by her, but no one would stop.
The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see If the little girl would still be there.
Yes, she was there, right in the very spot where she was yesterday, and still with the same sad look in her eyes.
Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl. For as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone.
As I got closer I could see the back of the little girl's dress. It was grotesquely shaped. I figured that was the reason people just passed by and made no effort to speak to her.
Deformities are a low blow to our society and, heaven forbid if you make a step toward assisting someone who is different.
As I got closer, the little girl lowered her eyes slightly to avoid my intent stare. As I approached her, I could see the shape of her back more clearly. She was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form.
I smiled to let her know it was OK; I was there to help, to talk. I sat down beside her and opened with a simple, 'Hello'.
The little girl acted shocked, and stammered a 'hi '; after a long stare into my eyes. I smiled and she shyly smiled back. We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty.
I asked the girl why she was so sad. The little girl looked at me with a sad face said, 'Because, I'm different..'
I immediately said, 'That you are!'; and smiled. The little girl acted even sadder and said, 'I know..'
'Little girl,' I said, 'you remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent.' She looked at me and smiled, then slowly she got to her feet and Said, 'Really?'
'Yes, you're like a little Guardian Angel sent to watch over all the people walking by.'
She nodded her head yes, and smiled. With that she opened the back of her pink dress and allowed her wings to spread, then she said 'I am.'
'I'm your Guardian Angel,' with a twinkle in her eye.
I was speechless -- sure I was seeing things.
She said, 'For once you thought of someone other than yourself. My job here is done'..... .
I got to my feet and said, 'Wait, why did no one stop to help an Angel?'
She looked at me, smiled, and said, 'You're the only one that could see me,' and then she was gone. And with that, my life was changed dramatically.
So, when you think you're all you have, remember, your angel is always watching over you. Like the story says, we all need someone...
And, every one of your friends is an Angel in their own way. The value of a friend is measured in the heart.
I hope your Guardian Angel watches over you always.
Matthew 25:
36 'I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
40 "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Attitude is important
"Where men are the most sure and arrogant, they are commonly most mistaken."
David Hume, The Glasgow Herald
When you are absolutely convinced you are correct, you cannot learn. Because you are not convinced that you need to learn any more. When you feel that way, be careful. You really could be wrong!
David Hume, The Glasgow Herald
When you are absolutely convinced you are correct, you cannot learn. Because you are not convinced that you need to learn any more. When you feel that way, be careful. You really could be wrong!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
How Do You Handle Life?
What you do with your life depends 10% on what has happened to you and 90% on how you choose to handle it.
The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. Eleanor Roosevelt
You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do. Eleanor Roosevelt
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Eleanor Roosevelt, 'This Is My Story,' 1937
People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built. Eleanor Roosevelt, My Day
The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. Eleanor Roosevelt
You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do. Eleanor Roosevelt
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Eleanor Roosevelt, 'This Is My Story,' 1937
People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built. Eleanor Roosevelt, My Day
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Food for Thought
Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Watch
Quoting from an article by Hugh Bucahanan in the July/August issue of Faith Network:
1. Watch for Satan - 1 Peter 5.8
2. Watch what you say - Psalms 141.3
3. Watch out for false prophets - Matthew 24.4
4. Watch against returning to the ways of the world - Luke 21.34-36
5. Watch out for covetousness - Luke 12.13-15
6. Watch for an unforgiving attitude - Luke 17.3-4
7. Watch for a complacent attitude - Romans 11.21 and 1 Corinthians 10.12
1. Watch for Satan - 1 Peter 5.8
2. Watch what you say - Psalms 141.3
3. Watch out for false prophets - Matthew 24.4
4. Watch against returning to the ways of the world - Luke 21.34-36
5. Watch out for covetousness - Luke 12.13-15
6. Watch for an unforgiving attitude - Luke 17.3-4
7. Watch for a complacent attitude - Romans 11.21 and 1 Corinthians 10.12
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Letter to you
To: You
From: God
Re: You
Date: Today
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.
PS - 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 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. 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.
From: God
Re: You
Date: Today
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.
PS - 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 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. 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.
Friday, August 5, 2011
The Mayonnaise Jar
I have seen this one several times in the past and just thought I might share it with you.
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, When 24 hours in a day is not enough; Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class And had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
And start to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured It into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again If the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand And poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded With an unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table And poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively Filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions. Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car...
The sand is everything else -- The small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, You will never have room for the things that are Important to you.
So...Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time To clean the house and fix the dripping tap.
'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand And inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked.' It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, When 24 hours in a day is not enough; Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class And had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
And start to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured It into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again If the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand And poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded With an unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table And poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively Filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions. Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car...
The sand is everything else -- The small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, You will never have room for the things that are Important to you.
So...Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time To clean the house and fix the dripping tap.
'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand And inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked.' It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
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