Lunch on the Bank

A pastor and two of his deacons are out on the river fishing in their rowboat. Twelve o'clock rolls around, and one of the deacons notices a nice spot on the bank to have lunch. He turns to the others and says, "That looks like a nice spot for lunch. What do you say we have lunch over there?" The other deacon agrees, and so does the pastor. The deacon stands up in the boat, steps out onto the river and walks over to the bank. The pastor looks on with amazement, and thinks to himself, if his deacon is holy enough to walk on water, surely he can. The other deacon stands up, picks up the picnic basket, steps out of the boat, and walks over to the bank and sits with the first deacon. Again, to his amazement, the pastor thinks again, if his second deacon is holy enough to walk on water, surely he can. The pastor stands up, steps out of the boat, and sinks into the water. The first deacon turns to the second and says, "Think we should have told him where the rocks are?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Do you ever wish you knew where all of the rocks are at????  There have been times that I wish I had known where they were at.

BRAVERY - by Lucas

"The difference between someone who is scared and someone who is brave is that the brave person is scared, but tries anyway. Bravery cannot exist without
fear."

On September 11, 2001 my wife and I were in the middle of training in Manchester, England. We, and another American in the program, were asked to step
outside the room. We were informed that two planes crashed into the World Trade
Center buildings in an apparent terrorist attack. They wanted us to know before
everyone else because it was our country and home. We stood there in shocked
silence for a moment as a few details were given.

While we listened to the news, the rest of the students, from all across
Britain, Europe, Africa and Canada, were told the same shocking news. A few,
presumably with ties to America through friends and family, came into the hall
to support us. I do not remember what words were spoken, but I do remember the
tears.

So many people, almost three-and-a-half thousand miles away from New York City,
were broken. I do not know what thoughts were flowing through their minds. Was
it sorrow, fear, anger, bitterness, rage, confusion, compassion? After a few
minutes of simply huddling together, our tears falling to the floor of the
hallway, just as debris and humans were falling from the towers, the news came.
Another plane had crashed into the Pentagon and a fourth plane seemed destined
for the White House.

Fervent prayer ensued. We, as a community of Christians, prayed together in
faith that the fourth plane would not make its destination. We prayed for divine
intervention on a human event. Our prayers were already answered in the form of
the brave passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93. All we found out at
the time was that the plane never made it to Washington D.C.

Many stories have been told of men and women helping others evacuate. Many tales
of people charging into certain death to do everything they could to ensure that
others would not. Still, stories will never be told of those who could not
escape, but faced death and stared it down. Those who stayed behind by choice so
as not to leave those too beaten, broken, burned, bruised to die alone. Those
who stayed behind to help others face fear. People who were brave for those who
could not be brave.

If I ever need to teach my son the definition of bravery, I need not only look
to my country's men and women who serve in public, military and voluntary roles,
but to those who were thrust into service. They are heroes too. Millions were
scared that day. Thousands were brave.

THE PRODIGAL SON RETOLD

Feeling footloose, fancy-free and frisky, this feather-brained fellow finagled his fond father into forking over his fortune. Forthwith, he fled for foreign fields and frittered his farthings feasting fabulously with fair-weathered friends.

Finally, facing famine, and fleeced by his fellows in folly, he found himself a

feed flinger in a filthy farmlot. He fain would have filled his frame with
foraged food from the fodder fragments.

"Fooey! My father's flunkies fare far fancier" the frazzled fugitive fumed

feverishly, frankly facing fact.

Frustrated from failure and filled with forebodings, he fled for his family.

Falling at his father's feet, he floundered forlornly. "Father, I have flunked

and fruitlessly forfeited further family favors."

But the faithful father, forestalling further flinching, frantically flagged his

flunkies to set forth the finest fatling and fix a feast.

The fugitive's fault-finding frater, faithfully farming his father's fields for

free, frowned at this fickle forgiveness of formal falderal. His fury flashed,
but fussing was futile.

His foresighted father figured, "Such filial fidelity is fine, but what forbids

fervent festivities? The fugitive is found! Unfurl the flags! With fanfare
flaring, let fun, frolic and frivolity flow freely, former failures forgotten
and folly forsaken. Forgiveness forms a firm foundation for future fortitude."

6 Sure-fire Ways to Become a Volunteer Magnet!

 1. Watch your language
A healthy environment for volunteers is saturated with verbal honor--regular, specific praise for what they're doing. In his book The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make, Hans Finzel says, "Organizational researchers have been telling us for years that affirmation motivates people much more than financial incentives, but we still don't get it."

2. Listen more intensely
Author Stephen Covey borrowed this from St. Francis of Assisi: "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." Next to physical survival, says Covey, "the greatest need of a human being is psychological survival--to be understood, to be affirmed, to be validated, to be appreciated." He adds that when you listen carefully to another person, you give that person "psychological air." Once you've met that need, the door is open for you to influence and problem-solve.

3. Lead from the big picture
Your job isn't to serve your volunteers--it's to serve God! In the soon-to-be-classic book On Being a Servant of God, author Warren Wiersbe says, "Ministry isn't easy, but you make it more difficult for yourself if you serve people instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. You can't please everybody, so don't even try".  What great advice! And when you practice it, you'll draw your volunteers away from trivial concerns and into a much bigger mission.

4. Love by your actions
Communicate love to your volunteers by respecting their time. How often have we asked people to show up early only to have them sit around? Been wishing for 10 new hands-on volunteers?  20?  If you answered yes, what would these leaders do? Unless you can assign specific responsibilities with meaning and purpose, they'll quickly lose interest, be ineffective, and drop out.

5. Laugh a lot...with your team
Create a tradition of getting together with volunteers for fun nights. Put names of restaurants into a hat, then pick one for appetizers, one for dinner, and one for dessert--or just pick one course if you're on a budget.  These nights are sure to be highlights for your team, as long as you follow one rule: no shop talk!  It may be challenging at first, but keep each other accountable.  Focus on having fun and getting to know each other personally.  And don't forget to laugh.  It sends a strong, personal message like nothing else.

6. Let go of some of your real responsibilities
Nothing frustrates volunteers more than shoddy delegation or excessive supervision. When you delegate, give specific guidelines and expectations. But don't equate "specific" with claustrophobic oversight. Show confidence in their ability and character; step back, and let them do it.

Isn't this the truth!!

It's so hot in Iowa . . .

IT'S SO HOT in Iowa.....the birds have to use potholders to pull the worms out of the ground.

.....the trees are whistling for the dogs.
.....the best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance
.....hot water comes from both taps
.....you can make sun tea instantly.
.....you learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.
.....the temperature drops below 90 F and you feel a little chilly.
.....you discover that in July it only takes two fingers to steer your car (one on each hand)
.....you discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.
.....you actually burn your hand opening the car door.
.....you break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 5:30 A.M.
.....your biggest motorcycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death"?
.....you realize that asphalt has a liquid stage.
.....the potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter.
.....the cows are giving evaporated milk.
.....farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.

IT'S SO DRY here in Iowa that the Baptists are starting to baptize by sprinkling, the Methodists are using wet-wipes, the Presbyterians are giving rain checks, and the Catholics are praying for the wine to turn back into water

Out of the Mouths of Babes!

The Sunday school teacher asked a little boy: "How old are you?" The little chap
said, "Seven. And how old are you?" She replied,"I'm 70." Amazed the
little darling said, "Whoa, you're almost dead!" (from Eduardo Bracier, Spain)

My young daughter had received a pretend doctor's bag as a birthday gift.
Wearing her plastic stethoscope around her neck one day she said, "Daddy, let's
play doctor. I'll be the doctor; You be the one who waits." (from Don Kerns)

Little David noticed a dead fly on the window sill. Calling over his mommy he
asked her, "What's wrong with the fly? Is it broken?" She said, "No, dear, the
fly is dead." Without hesitation David replied, "Oh. It needs new batteries."
(from Heath Glandon)

As a tyke, my grandpa was carrying me through the doors of the church sanctuary
and my sweet "little" voice was heard by all telling them, "And now I have to
keep my big mouth shut!" (from Kathy Noren)

My two young daughters were playing one day when I heard the older one tell the
younger one, "When we get to heaven we get a new body." After a short pause,
"and a new head too." (from Norman)

Holy Alphabet . . . This is Beautiful

Whoever came up with this one must have had some Divine guidance!



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!

God Knows

“For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” 

 1 John 3:20

In hard times and good, God knows what you are going through. He weeps when you are weeping and laughs when you laugh, he shares all of our joys and sorrows. In fact every human experience we have ever known has been known by God. You are not alone, HE is with you!

When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts…
God knows how hard you have tried.

When you’ve cried so long and your heart is in anguish…
God has counted your tears.

If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by…
God is waiting with you.

When you’re lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call…
God is by your side.

When you think you’ve tried everything and don’t know where to turn…
God has a solution.

When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated…
God has the answer.

If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope…
God has whispered to you.

When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for…
God has blessed you.

When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe…
God has smiled upon you.

When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow…
God has opened your eyes and called you by name.

Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing… GOD KNOWS!!

Friends - God

I sat, with two friends at a quaint
restaurant just off the corner of town-square. The food and the
company were both especially good that day.

As we talked, my attention was drawn out the window.
There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He had a well-worn sign that read, 'I will work for food.' My heart sank.

I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief.

We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.

Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: 'Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square.' Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.

I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.

'Looking for the pastor?' I asked. 'Not really,' he replied, 'just resting.'

'Have you eaten today?' 'Oh, I ate something early this morning.'
 'Would you like to have lunch with me?'
'Do you have some work I could do for you?'
 'No work,' I replied 'I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.' 'Sure,' he replied with a smile.

As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions.
'Where you headed?'  'St.. Louis'
 'Where you from?'
 'Oh, all over; mostly Florida ..'
 'How long you been walking?'
 'Fourteen years,' came the reply.

I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, 'Jesus is The Never Ending Story.'

Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences.  Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.

He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God.  'Nothing's been the same since,' he said, 'I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.'

'Ever think of stopping?' I asked.

'Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me but God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles. That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.'

I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: 'What's it like?'

'What?'

'To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?'

'Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me.'

My concept was changing, too.. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused He turned to me and said, 'Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.'

I felt as if we were on holy ground. 'Could you use another Bible?' I asked.

He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. 'I've read through it 14 times,' he said.  'I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see' I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.

'Where are you headed from here?' I asked.

'Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.'  'Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?'

No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next.'  He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.

Would you sign my autograph book?' he asked. 'I like to keep messages from folks I meet.' I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, 'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.'

'Thanks, man,' he said. 'I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you.'

'I know,' I said, 'I love you, too.' 'The Lord is good!'

'Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?' I asked.

A long time,' he replied.

And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, 'See you in the New Jerusalem.'

I'll be there!' was my reply. He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, 'When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'

You bet,' I shouted back, 'God bless.'

God bless.' And that was the last I saw of him.

Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them.... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.

Then I remembered his words: 'If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'

Today his gloves are on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. They also remind me God has given me a calling too; and I must fulfill it whether sunshine or rain, and no matter the appreciation or humiliation.

 'See you in the New Jerusalem,' he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will...

'I shall pass this way but once.. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.'

The Fatherhood Cycle

The Fatherhood Cycle

4 years: "My Daddy can do anything."
7 years: "My Dad knows a lot, a whole lot."
12 years: "Oh, well - naturally - Father doesn't know that either."
14 years: "Father? Hopelessly old-fashioned."
21 years: "Oh, that man is so out-of-date. What did you expect?"
25 years: "He knows a little bit about it - but not much."
30 years: "Maybe we ought to find out what Dad thinks."
35 years: "Let's ask Dad what he would do before we make a decision."
40 years: "I wonder what Dad would have thought about that? He was pretty smart."
50 years: "My Dad knew absolutely everything."
60 years: "I'd give anything if Dad were here so I could talk this over with him. I really miss that man."

Choosing a Successor

A successful businessman knew it was time to choose a successor to lead his business. Instead of appointing one of his directors, or one of his children, he decided to  call the company's young executives together. He said,  "It is time for me to choose the next CEO. I have decided to select one of you."  The young executives were shocked, but the CEO continued. "I am going to give each of you a SEED today - a very special SEED. Plant the seed, water it, and one year from today bring what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will judge the plants you bring, and choose our next CEO." One of the leaders, Jim, excitedly told his wife about the plan. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost, and he planted his seed. Every day, he watered it and watched to see if it had  grown. Soon some of the other executives began talking about their seeds and the plants beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Weeks went by, but still nothing. Everyone else was talking about their plants,  but Jim had no growth and felt like a failure.  Six months passed,  but still nothing in Jim's pot. He concluded he had killed his seed,  but said nothing to his colleagues. He continued watering and fertilizing the soil - he desperately wanted his seed to grow. When the year ended, the young  executives were instructed to bring their plants to the  CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife he refused to take an empty pot to his workplace, but she urged him to be honest  about what had happened. It was going to be Jim's most embarrassing moment, but he knew his wife was right.  Jim took his empty pot to the boardroom. When he arrived, the variety of plants the other executives had grown amazed  him. They were beautiful - in many shapes and sizes. When  Jim put his empty pot on the floor, many of his colleagues laughed. When the CEO arrived, Jim attempted to conceal himself in back.  "My, what wonderful plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"  Then the CEO noticed Jim. He invited Jim to the front - with his  empty pot. Jim was terrified. "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!" When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked what had happened to his seed. Jim explained despite his best efforts, nothing had grown. The CEO turned to the group and asked  everyone to sit down, except Jim. He then looked at Jim and  announced, "Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! His name is Jim!" Then the CEO explained: "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back in a year. But I gave you all boiled seeds; it was  not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought healthy plants and flowers. When you found the seed would not grow, you substituted a different one. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!" It is said: If you plant honesty, you will reap trust. If you plant goodness, you will reap friends. If you plant humility, you will  reap greatness. If you plant perseverance, you will reap  contentment. If you plant hard work, you will reap success.  If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.  If you plant faith, you will reap a harvest. So be careful what  you plant now: it will determine what you will reap later. "The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out" (Proverbs 10:9). "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity" (Proverbs 11:3) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Have you ever wished you knew what to do when the pot didn't produce anything from the seeds??? When no matter what you planted - nothing came up?  One might think oh, how embarrassing this plant is - but that is just the way it is!  But when we stand back and look and listen we can see that this is just the way it is. It is what it is!  It is all of those little things that add to great things!  It all comes down to "integrity"!  That is where it is at for all of us!

Quote . . .

"God wants full custody, not just weekend visits."

God doesn't want us just for the weekend visits - He wants us all the time every day, every night, every minute - all the time!  He doesn't want us just for part of the day or part of the night but He wants us all the time! He simply want us!!

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of my righteousness.    (Isa 41:10)

You are a lousy cook if . . .

You are a lousy cook if.…

You are a lousy cook if....

Your family automatically heads for the table every time they hear a fire siren.

Anyone has ever broken a tooth eating your homemade yogurt.

Your kids know what "peas porridge in a pot nine days old" tastes like.

Your son goes outside to make mud pies, the rest of the family grabs forks and follows him.

Your kids' favorite drink is Alka-Seltzer.

You have to buy 25 pounds of dog food twice a week for your toy poodle.

Your kids got even with the neighborhood bully by inviting him over for dinner.

Your husband refers to the smoke detector as the oven timer.

No matter what you do to it the gravy still turns bright purple.

Lots of laughs here with this one!!!

The Old Man - Memorial Day

As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries
towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting
inside the car, with the door open.

The old man was looking at t he engine. I put my groceries away in my car, and
continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away.

I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm walking
towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him.

I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something. The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade. He then turned back to the old man. I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying: "You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age." And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.

I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief, and mop his brow as he went
back to his car and again looked at the engine.

He then went to his wife and spoke with her; he appeared to tell her it would be
okay. I had seen enough, and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and
stood straight, and as I got near him I said, "Looks like you're having a
problem."

He smiled sheepishly, and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood
myself, and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking
around, I saw a gas station up the road, and I told the old man that I would be
right back. I drove to the station and went I inside. I saw three attendants
working on cars. I approached one of them, and related the problem the old man
had with his car. I offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and
help him.
The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine), I spoke with the old gentleman.

When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine, too. I nodded and asked the usual question, "What outfit did you serve with?"

He said that he served with the First Marine Division at Guadalcanal Pelieliu,
and Okinawa.

He had hit three of the worst ones, and retired from the Corps after the war was
over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me. I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.

He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it, and I stuck it in my pocket. We all shook hands all around again, and I said my goodbyes to his wife.

I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station.
Once at the station, I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to
come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help,
but they refused to charge me.

One of them pulled out a card from his pocket, looking exactly like the card the
old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then that they were Marine
Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one
of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I
would and drove off.

For some reason I had gone about two blocks, when I pulled over and took the
card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the
old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name was written:
Congressional Medal of Honor Society. I sat there motionless, looking at the
card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no
one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage, and an honor to have been in his presence.

Remember, as we approach another Memorial Day, old men like him gave you, and all of us, FREEDOM for America. Thanks to those who served and still serve, and to all of those who supported them, and who continue to support them.

Hot Corn Dip

Memorial Day is coming - Here's a good recipe!

Hot Corn Dip:

• 2 cups shredded chedder cheese
• 1 cup shredded Montery Jack
• 2 tbs chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, diced small
• 1 small can (4oz) diced green chilies, undrained
• 1/2 cup Mayo
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 11oz can of corn, drained
• 1 small tomato
• 2 tbs cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbs green onions, sliced thin

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Mix the cheeses, chiptole and green peppers, mayo, garlic powder and corn together. Pour into an oven safe dish.
2. Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly
3. Top with diced tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.

Recipe for a Prosperous, Peaceful Year!

 

Take twelve, fine, full-grown months, see that these are free from all old

memories of bitterness, rancor, hate and jealousy; cleanse them completely from

every clinging spite: pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short,

see that these months are freed as much as possible from the past.

Cut these months into 29, 30 or 31 equal parts. This batch will keep for just

one year. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons

spoil the entire lot in this way), but prepare one day at a time, as follows:

Into each day put

twelve parts of faith,

eleven of patience,

ten of courage,

nine of work,

eight of hope,

seven of fidelity,

six of liberality,

five of kindness,

four of rest,

three of prayer,

two of meditation,

and one well selected resolution.

If you have no conscientious scruples, put in about a teaspoonful of good

spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping

cupful of good humor.

Pour into the whole love ad libitum and mix with a vim. Cook thoroughly in a

fervent heat; garnish with a few smiles and a sprig of joy; then serve with

quietness, unselfishness, and cheerfulness, and a Happy New Year is certain.

Success - Unknown

Success is speaking words of      praise,
In cheering other people's          ways.
In doing just the best you          can,
With every task and every          plan.


It's silence when your speech would hurt,
Politeness when your neighbor's curt.
It's deafness when the scandal flows,
And sympathy with others' woes.

It's loyalty when duty calls,
It's courage when disaster falls.
It's patience when the hours are long,
It's found in laughter and in song.

It's in the silent time of prayer,
In happiness and in despair.
In all of life and nothing less,
We find the thing we call success.

Potato Chips & God

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey.


When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him some chips. He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.


His smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. He gave him his biggest smile ever.


When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"


Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied "I ate potato chips in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime! Embrace all equally!

Have lunch with God.......bring chips!!!
God still sits on the throne. You may be going through a tough time right now but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can. Keep the faith!

Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Remember the power of a simple touch, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring - all of which have the potential to turn a life around!  Through God and your smile you can do just that very thing - turn a life around!  I challenge you to do that this very day - turn that life around and point it to God - you won't be sorry!

Learn How to be a "Southern Belle".

For all y’all that ain’t from around here… Lessons on How to Be a Southern Belle:

1. Promptly add these words to your vocabulary and use them often: “honey”, “sugar”, “darlin’”, “y’all”, “goodness gracious”, “I declare!”, and “bless your heart”.

2. Always begin or end a conversation by asking about the other person’s mama. “… and how’s your mama? How’s her garden doing? Well, tell her I asked about her.”

3. Learn to use and understand the use of the phrase “Bless her heart”. This is key in understanding Southern speak. For example, if someone had been admitted to the hospital, the phrase “Bless her heart” is used out of concern. On the other hand, if someone has run off with another person’s husband, the term “Bless her heart” may be used to turn what some might deem “gossip” into a show of concern. 

4. Always use manners. “Please”, “Thank you”, “Yes ma’am”, “No ma’am”, etc.

5. Not everything that goes through the brain should come out of the mouth. Southern Belles learn to filter appropriately, and can smile sweetly even while disagreeing with another person. Southern Belle’s never yell, demand, or throw tantrums… except in private.

6. Be sure to know how to make and enjoy eating standard Southern cuisine: biscuits and gravy, sweet tea, soup beans, corn bread, collard greens, and banana pudding. (And even though I’m Southern, I can’t eat grits… )

7. There is a reason why the South is known for its hospitality. Southern Belles must know how to be gracious, welcoming hostesses and always make guests feel right at home.

8. The bigger the hair, the closer to God. Enough said. (No, this is not from the Bible, please don’t try to ‘google’ the verse…)

9. Southern Belle’s are always dressed in a classy, feminine way. If you see a southern “woman” who is dressed in a trashy, revealing way, she is not a “Southern Belle”. Classy Southern Belles dress appropriately to be seen by their mama, their husband’s mama, or the Preacher at any time.

10. … and last but not least, every Southern Belle should know the entire lyrics to “Sweet Home Alabama”. If you do not know this song…. well, you ain’t from around here!

By Malanie