Holy Cow

A farmer had been swindled many times by the local car dealer. One day, the car dealer informed the farmer that he was coming over to purchase a cow.

The farmer priced the unit as follows:

- Basic Cow $999.95

- Shipping and Handling $35.75

- Extra Stomach $79.25

- Two-tone Exterior $142.10

- Produce Storage Compartment $128.50

- Heavy Duty Straw Chopper $189.60

- 4-Spigot/High Output Drain System $149.20

- Automatic Fly Swatter $88.50

- Genuine Cowhide Upholstery $170.80

- Deluxe Dual Horns $59.25

- Automatic Fertilizer Attachment $339.40

- 4 X 4 Traction Drive Assembly $884.16

- Pre-Delivery Wash and Comb $69.80 

Farmer Suggested List Price $3,336.26

Additional Dealer Adjustment $300.00 

Total list price (including options) $3,636.26

Tax and Ear Tags $418.00

TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE $4,054.26

Peanut Butter & Corn Chip No-Bake Cookies

This is one of those crazy recipes super simple no bake cookie recipes.

Kookie Cookies

1 package (9.75 to 10.5 ounces) corn chips
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
Spread corn chips in a greased 15 in x 10 in by 1 in baking pan.



You can break them into pieces and enjoy!

Flickering Fire

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, suddenly stopped coming to church. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit.

The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace, and waited. The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. 

In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair and engaged the man in small talk.

As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and lifeless.

The pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave, he slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday."    (Unknown)

I have sat around many, many campfires in my lifetime.  I totally enjoy sitting there roasting hot dogs, marshmallows, talking and visiting with other "campfire-friends".  Sometimes, someone even pulls out the guitar and we sing "Kum-By-Ya, My Lord"!!!  But it is interesting as we sit there watching the sun go down and the darkness begins to surround us, the stars begin to get brighter and if there is a moon it shines on us so brightly.  Then as the chill of the dark night air surrounds us and begins to chill our "backsides"!  It seems we all begin to rearrange our chairs or stumps of wood so they are a little closer to the fire.  As the night goes on and the discussion leads from one thing to another, before the night is over we can almost feel the heat of that fire nearly melting out shoes.  As we watch the fire burn down, someone finally gets up and throws another log onto the fire and it catches and the smoke rises as the flames dance!  My folks and aunt and uncle go camping and this is the job of my dad and my uncle Bob - they are the "keepers of the fire"!!  I love to go join them when I am able to. We will sit around that fire and watch it for hours as we talk and share, as it burns down and then as it flares up and we have to move our chairs back because it is now too hot!  But I love the closeness we have as we watch this process and as we talk and grow in our relationships together as we share our thoughts, experiences, wisdom, & knowledge.  I have learned many things just sitting around some of those campfires! 

"but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ".  2 Peter 3:18

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together , as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching".  -Hebrews 10:24-25

Sometimes, just as we need to stir up the campfire and get the fire blazing hot by throwing on another log, so we must stir up the fire within us.  Sometimes we need to smell the smoke of the campfire and refuel and refresh our own hearts and lives.  How do we do that?  Prayer, meditating on God's Word, listening to preaching, teaching, Bible studies, talking with other Christians, trusting and believing God is Who He says He is and simply "living" these things out in our day-to-day walk.  We need God and we need each other!  Just like that fire will crackle and pop so we must "live out our walk with Christ".

And like the sermon in the story above . . .

we grow from each other and we can all learn from a

"fiery sermon" like the pastor shared!

A Friend Is . . .

A friend is one who is not hard to find when you are penniless.

A friend is one who makes your grief less painful, your adversity more bearable.

A friend is one who joyfully sings with you when you are on the mountaintop, and silently walks beside you through the valley.

A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whome you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful.
A friend is one who warms you by his presence, trusts you with his secrets, and remembers you in his prayers.
A friend is one who gives you a spark of assurance when you doubt your ability to fulfill your noblest aspirations, climb your special mountain, or reach your secret goal.

A friend is one who helps you bridge the gaps between loneliness and fellowship, frustration and confidence, despair and hope, setbacks and success.

A friend is one who is available to you, understanding of you, and patient with you. A friend is no less a gift from God than is a talent; no less a treasure than life itself.

A friend is also someone who listens.

                            -Barbara Johnson

"A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."  

 -Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)

The Message Version says it this way: 

"Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble".

"Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family".

Proverbs 17:17; 18:24

Do you hear your friend's footsteps beside you?  I hope you have these kinds of friends. Friends that are there to see you through whatever circumstances you are going through.  Friends that stick by you "like family"!!

Fruit of the Month

Old Fisherman

Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. We lived downstairs & rented the upstairs rooms to outpatients at the Clinic.

One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man. 'Why, he's hardly taller than my eight-year-old,' I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body.

But the appalling thing was his face, lopsided from swelling, red & raw. Yet, his voice was pleasant as he said,'Good evening. I've come to see if you've a room for just one night. I came for a treatment this morning from the eastern shore, & there's no bus 'till morning.'
He told me he'd been hunting for a room since noon but with no success; no one seemed to have a room. 'I guess it's my face. I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments...'

For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me, 'I could sleep in this rocking chair on the porch. My bus leaves early in the morning.' I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch. I went inside & finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us. 'No thank you. I have plenty' And he held up a brown paper bag.

When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with him a few minutes. It didn't take a long time to see that this old man had an over sized heart crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her five children & her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury.

He didn't tell it by way of complaint; in fact, every other sentence was prefaced with thanks to God for a blessing. He was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer. He was thankful for the strength to keep going.

At bedtime, we put a camp cot in the children's room for him. When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded, & the little man was out on the porch.

He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, haltingly, as if asking a great favor, he said, 'Could I please come back & stay the next time I have a treatment? I won't put you out a bit. I can sleep fine in a chair.' He paused a moment & then added, 'Your children made me feel at home. Grown-ups are bothered by my face, but children don't seem to mind.' I told him he was welcome to come again.

And on his next trip he arrived a little after seven in the morning. As a gift, he brought a big fish & a quart of the largest oysters I had ever seen. He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so that they'd be nice & fresh. I knew his bus left at 4 a.m., I wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this for us.

In the years he came to stay overnight with us there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables from his garden.

Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery; fish & oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale, every leaf carefully washed. Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these & knowing how little money he had made the gifts doubly precious.

When I received these little remembrances, I often thought of a comment our next-door neighbor made after he left that first morning. 'Did you keep that awful looking man last night? I turned him away! You can lose roomers by putting up such people!'

Maybe we did lose roomers once or twice But, oh if only they could have known him, perhaps their illness would have been easier to bear. I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; from him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint & the good with gratitude...

Recently I was visiting a friend who has a greenhouse. As she showed me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful one of all, a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms. But to my great surprise, it was growing in an old dented, rusty bucket. I thought to myself, 'If this were my plant, I'd put it in the loveliest container I had!'

My friend changed my mind. 'I ran short of pots,' she explained, 'and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn't mind starting out in this old pail. It's just for a little while, till I can put it out in the garden.'

She must have wondered why I laughed so delightedly, but I was imagining just such a scene in heaven. There's an especially beautiful one,' God might have said when he came to the soul of the sweet old fisherman. 'He won't mind starting in this small body.'

All this happened long ago -- and now, in God's garden, how tall this lovely soul must stand...

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
                 ~Author Unknown~

How often do we look and judge a person by their looks, by their clothes, by their outward appearance?  I look around me every day and see all sorts, styles, shapes, of people and personalities. 

Many act or react by what they have been taught or seen as a child.  Some not even realizing that their lifestyle was learned and passed down to them by their parents.  Sometimes it is language that may offend some but to them seems so natural.  Habits are another thing that children learn by watching their parents. Modesty, or should I say in many cases, immodesty is also learned.

Parents . . . we have a responsiblity to not only teach our children but also to live it in front of them. Instill traits in them that will reach out to others that may not be "like us" but "need to know" someone cares - like the man in the above story.  I think of our young people today that do not have a clue about Christianity or living a Christ-like life.  They need us to reach out to them - even as different as they may look on the outside!  They need us to look beyond the outward appearance and look at the heart and soul of them and let them know that Jesus loved them - enough to die on the cross for their sins and make a way of escape for them. 

Reach out and touch someone today - make a difference in their life - be "Jesus" to someone who may not "look" or "act" quite like you!  Step out of your 
"comfort zone"
and let God work through you! 

"For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks
 at the heart."

(1 Samuel 16:7)

Colorful Cauliflower Salad

Here's a great salad for a larger crowd.

1 lg head cauliflower, chopped
1 1/2 cups of salted red peanuts
1 pkg (7 oz) dried cranberries
2/3 cup light mayonnaise
1/3 cup of sugar

In a large bowl, add the cauliflower,
peanuts, cranberries, mayonnaise &
sugar. Stir until well combined.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Makes 10 cups

Enjoy!

Wet Pants & Compassion

Come with me  to a third grade classroom... There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives.
The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, 'Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat.'

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.

As the teacher is walking toward him, a class mate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap.

The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, 'Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!'
Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else -   Susie.

She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you Klutz!'
Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, 'You did that on purpose, didn't you?' Susie whispers back, 'I wet my pants once too.'    (Unknown Aurthor)

May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good...

Remember...Just going to  church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Each and everyone one of us go through tough times, but God is ready to bless you in a way that only He can whether you are the giver like Susie or the receiver like the boy. 

Have you ever been on the giving or receiving end  of a situation and been in the exact spot where God could work like He did in the above story?  I'm sure if we were to think back we could remember many times God has answered our prayers with a little help from a "Susie"!!

 Look around and see who is out there that needs an answer to one of their prayers and see if God can use you to help answer it.  Somebody out there needs a "Susie". 

Keep trusting God to show you that who "someone" is and have faith to be that "Susie" to them today!

Character Development

Honey Graham Oh's Cereal

This morning I poured my bowl of cereal, poured the milk on it, and started eating.  I was taking a bite of my Honey Graham Oh's reading the cereal box when the cereal advertising caught my eye.  Putting down my spoon, I picked up the cereal box and began reading about Honey Graham Oh's.  I learned all about them!!! Amazing what you can learn from a cereal box!!  Here's what it said . . .

    Honey Graham Oh's . . . Good Things in the Middle! 

Oh, What a Cereal!

Why have an ordinary cereal when you can have

one with good things in the middle? 

Try Honey Graham Oh's!

Every bite blends the great taste of graham and

real golden honey for a delicious start to the morning. 

Honey Graham Oh's also have
9 essential

vitamins and minerals.

Enjoy every spoonful!

As I finished reading the entire box, I picked up my spoon and started to finish my "Oh's" - with the good things in the middle!  Staring at the cereal box, I began to think.  (Watch out when I begin to think!!!!!)  LOL!!  I decided to just re-word the cereal box advertisement in my mind with a little different "twist" for my own life as I started my morning. Here's what I was thinking . . .

God's Word, the Bible . . . Good Things in the Middle! Oh, what a life!

Why have an ordinary life when you can have

one with good things in the middle? . . . Try God's Word! 

Every day blends the great taste of God's love and merciful Grace for a delicious start to the morning.

God's Word also has
9 essential

vitamins and minerals . . .

love, joy, peace, patience,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self control. 

Enjoy every spoonful of!

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there

is not law." 

Galatians 5:22

The Message translation says it this way . . .

"But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitiments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."

Oh What a Life!

Start your morning right!

P.S. Do not skip your breakfast - it's the most important meal of the day!

Not "What" you say but "How" you say it!

(Please "mute" the music so you may get the full impact of this video)

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.    Psalms 19:14

Hold Your Head Up High

Standing for what you believe in regardless of the odds against you, and the pressure that tears at your resistance … is Courage.

Keeping a smile on your face when inside you feel like dying, for the sake of supporting others … is Strength.

Stopping at nothing and doing what's in your heart that you know is right … is Determination.

Doing more than is expected, to make another's life a little more bearable, without uttering a single complaint … is Compassion.

Helping a friend in need, no matter the time or effort, to the best of your ability … is Loyalty.

Holding your head high and being the best you know you can be when life seems to fall apart at your feet, facing each difficulty with the confidence that time will bring you better tomorrows, and never giving up … is Confidence.

Hold your head high and make your life better every day!

Three Things

Let Faith take the Lead

"It matters not how large or small
Your faith may seem to be;
What really counts is whom you trust
In life's uncertainty."
                        ~Fitzhugh~

Courage will follow when faith takes the lead!

Importance of Walking

I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I'm doing!

 
I like long walks, especially when they are taken
by people who annoy me!

The advantage of exercising every day is so when you die, they'll say, 'Well, she looks good doesn't she.'

If you are going to try cross-country skiing . . .
start with a small country!

I know I got a lot of exercise the last few years . . .
just getting over the hill!

I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound . . . Apparently you have to  go there!

Every time I hear the dirty word 'exercise', I wash my mouth out with chocolate . . .

 

Moments with God

Happy moments, praise God
Difficult moments, seek God,
Quiet moments, worship God,
Painful moments, trust God,
. . . Every moment, thank God!!!

This quote remindes me of a Bible verse.  I like the way it reads in the Message version.  It is Philippians 4:11 and it says this:

"I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am!"

I will be the first one to say that the past few years have been days, weeks, and months of my life that have been anything but "happily ever after"! But I have a God that has seen me through many trials and obstacles along the way.  No, it hasn't always been easy - but God has been there to help me make it through the tough times on to some very "blessed" times of pure joy unspeakable and full of glory, as the old hymn says!  I've had my share of happy times that I do praise God for.

There have been those difficult times where I learned to seek God and lay my burden at His feet, knowing that He knew every difficulty far better than I did. And He knew where it would take me and how much I would grow through the experience it taught me as I learned, lived and matured in my faith in a loving, caring God that wants us to bring our difficulties to Him.  Just as a child brings their difficulties to us as parents - so He longs for us to bring "all" of our difficulties to Him.

I've learned to treasure the quiet times when I worship Him.  It may be in my car, at home, at church, in the back yard - anywhere I am because that is where He is! My whole being simply taking in the awesome, unmatched sense of awe and wonder as I realize who He is and what He has done for me. He is the great "I am" - that means that He is EVERYTHING that I can even imagine and then some. He's been there, done that, He is IT!  He is all there is . . . just for me and you!  Anything I can imagine - He is IT!  He knows just how I feel, what's going on in my life, in my family, and everything about me. He has the answers I long to know.  He alone is waiting for me to truly worship Him in my day to day life and know that I have seen Jesus. . . can trust Him. . . can love Him. . . can obey His call to worship Him with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength!

And what about those painful moments - can I trust Him then too?  Yes, Yes, Yes!!  It is during those painful times that I need Him the most.  The times of hurt, misunderstanding, sorrow, sickness, and just plain fearful times when I haven't known what was ahead.  These are the times I've learned to put all of my trust in His steady, unchanging hand. 

As I look back on my life's journey there have been times when I seemed to be holding on for dear life and do you know what??  He never let go of me!!!  And He will not let go of you either if you trust Him and give everything over to God's Almighty hand! The Hand of God reaches down to each one of us as we go through life's journey. It may lead us over the mountain, down into the valley, and maybe even across the plain - but He is there through it all. 

It is through each of these phases of our lives that we learn to simply thank God for every moment in our lives, knowing that these moments have brought us closer to Him.  Happy, difficult, quiet, painful moments . . . Every moment, thank God!!!

"I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am!"     (Philippians 4:11)

6 Steps to Successful Personal Change

1.  When you change your THINKING, you change your BELIEFS.
2.  When you change your BELIEFS, you change your EXPECTATIONS.
3.  When you change your EXPECTATIONS, you change your ATTITUDE.
4.  When you change your ATTITUDE, you change your BEHAVIOR.
5.  When you change your BEHAVIOR, you change your PERFORMANCE.
6.  When you change your PERFORMANCE, you change your LIFE!
                                                                                          -John Maxwell

Bullitin Bloopers

They're Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletin Bloopers!

Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
--------------------------
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow...
--------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
--------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
--------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
--------------------------
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered..
--------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
--------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
--------------------------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
--------------------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
--------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.
--------------------------
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
--------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
--------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement, Friday at 7 PM . The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
--------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
--------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.

It is good to be able to laugh at our mistakes - it is all a part of life. Living and learning!!!  So, lighten up and enjoy the journey!

Just Like Jesus

What if, for one day, Jesus were to become you? What if, for twenty-four hours, Jesus wakes up in your bed, walks in your shoes, lives in your house, assumes your schedule? Your boss becomes his boss, your mother becomes his mother, your pains become his pains. With one exception, nothing about your life changes. Your health doesn't change. Your circumstances don't change. Your schedule isn't altered. Your problems aren't solved. Only one change occurs.

What if, for one day, Jesus lives your life with his heart? Your heart gets the day off, and your life is led by the heart of Christ. His priorities govern your actions. His passions drive your decisions. His love directs your behavior.

What would you be like? Would people notice a change? Your family - would they see something new? Your coworkers - would they sense a difference? What about the less fortunate? Would you treat them the same? And your friends? Would they detect more joy? How about your enemies? Would they receive more mercy from Christ's heart than from yours?

And you? How would you feel? What alterations would this transplant have on your stress level? Your mood swings? Your temper? Would you sleep better? Would you see sunsets differently? Taxes differently? Any chance you'd need fewer aspirin or sedatives? How about your reaction to traffic delays? (Ouch, that touched a nerve.) Would you still dread what you are dreading? Better yet, would you still do what you are doing?

Would you still do what you had planned to do for the next twenty-four hours? Pause and think about your schedule. Obligations. Engagements. Outings. Appointments. With Jesus taking over your heart, would anything change?

Keep working on this for a moment. Adjust the lens of your imagination until you have a clear picture of Jesus leading your life, then snap the shutter and frame the image. What you see is what God wants. He wants you to "think and act like Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5).

God's plan for you is nothing short of a new heart. If you were a car, God would want control of your engine. If you were a computer, God would claim the software and the hard drive. If you were an airplane, he'd take his seat in the cockpit. But you are a person, so God wants to change your heart.

Perhaps an instant makeover is a little too overwhelming,

Take time to examine the heart of Jesus and get to know Jesus' heart . . .

                                                   -Max Lucado-

There are a lot of "what-ifs" in the above words by Max Lucado!  Have you thought about these in comparision to the life you are living today?  I kind of think if Jesus were me, I would look at things entirely different than this human mind of mine does today.  I think things would be a lot different if I were looking thru His eyes, seeing beyond the surface and realizing what really is important in life. If I were feeling what He is feeling - what would that be like?  Would I be feeling rejection, pain, sorry, hurt, joy, happiness, love, contentment and peace?  What would I be doing if He did have control of my "engine"?  Would I be doing the same things I am doing today or would I have some changes to make? Something to think about, huh?!

I love this old hymn by Helen Lemmel - "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus".

Turn you eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

With Jesus in control of our "engines" in life, we can face each situation with confidence and hope as we "think and act" like Jesus!

Growing "Old" - Growing "Up"

All Things are Possible!

If you never were in trouble, How would you know that I will come to your rescue?

Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."

So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying,
"Lord, save me!"

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."

John 14:25-33

Have you ever felt like Peter in the above picture?  Surrounded by the wind and waves of life, sinking deeper and deeper into the waves of worry and doubt?  When something is troubling you and trying to defeat you just remember that Jesus is the great "I AM". The Miracle Maker. The "Sea-Walker"!  Just as Jesus told the disciples to "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid" - we too can learn a lesson here.  We can put away our doubts, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, and step out of our boat when He says "Come." Peter walked on the water when Jesus said "Come". . . Impossible you may say!  Yes, to us somethings do seem impossible but with God, all things are possible.  Just remember that we can do the impossible with the power of Christ in our lives.  Just recognize who Christ is, ask as Peter did - "Lord save me", reach out to Him and take hold of Jesus' outstretched hand, worship and praise His blessed name - name above all names - JESUS - SON  OF  GOD!

So when things begin crowding in around you, just remember "do not be afraid", "trust Jesus" - with God all things are possible!

Maxine - Yearly Physical

Yesterday I went to the doctor

For my yearly physical.

My blood pressure was high.

My cholesterol was high.

I'd gained some weight,

and I didn't feel so hot.

My doctor said eating right

doesn't have to be complicated and

it would solve my physical problems.

He said:

Just think in colors.

Fill your plate with bright colors.

Try some greens, oranges, reds,

maybe something yellow, etc.

and eat an entire bowl of

bright colors.

And Sure Enough . . .

I Felt Better Immediately !!
I never knew eating right could be so easy !!

 
 
Have a great day and take time to laugh a little . . . or even a lot ! ! !  It's good for the soul!

Great Things - Small Ways

Here's a little "MONDAY MOTIVATOR"

1. Show kindness.

2. When someone asks for your love – give it.

3. Talk less and listen more.

4. Practice the art of patience every day.

5. Accept everyone for who they are; reject no one for who they are.

6. Leave an unexpected note of love, encouragement or appreciation.

7. Say, “thank you.”

8. When someone needs you, give your attention right away; don’t wait.

9. Honor boundaries and expect your boundaries to be honored, too.

10. Help your neighbors through their weeds.

11. Let those around you know you believe in them.

12. Let them know you respect them.

13. Don’t use your words as a weapon.

14. Show your children how to smile, relax and enjoy life.

15. Never do anything you wouldn’t want others & God to know.

16. Keep your word.

17. Be fully present when in the presence of others.

18. Share your wisdom when asked.

19. Create a safe place for your family to live.

20. Let go of grudges and live with a forgiving heart.

21. Show respect to everyone you encounter.

22. Give your shoulder for someone to grasp so they can take a leap of faith.
23. Find ways to serve every day.
24. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.
25. Let your corner of the world see the goodness and God in you.  

                                            -Alex Blackwell

We can do no great things, only small things with great love. 

– Mother Teresa