FAITH HOPE AND LOVE

Ten Most Important Emotional Needs To build a Marriages to last a lifetime

2010-02-01T18:46:00.000-08:00

Ten Most Important Emotional Needs
To build a Marriages to last a lifetime

Affection
Sexual Fulfillment
Conversation
Recreational Companionship
Honesty and Openness
Physical Attractiveness
Financial Support
Domestic Support
Family Commitment
Admiration

1st is - Affection
Affection is the expression of care. It symbolizes security, protection, comfort

and approval -- vital ingredients in any relationship. When one spouse is

affectionate toward the other, the following messages are sent:
1. You are important to me. I will care for you and protect you.
2. I'm concerned about the problems you face and will be there for you

when you need me.

Learn to be more affectionateA simple hug can say those things. And there

are many other ways to show our affection: A greeting card or an "I love you"

note; a bouquet of flowers; holding hands; walks after dinner; back rubs;

phone calls; and conversations with thoughtful and loving expressions. All of

these can effectively communicate affection.
Affection is, for many, the essential cement of a relationship. Without it, many

feel totally alienated. With it, they become emotionally bonded. If you feel

terrific when your spouse is affectionate, and you feel terrible when there is

not enough of it, you have the emotional need for affection.

The Love Dare

2010-01-01T18:04:00.000-08:00

What is Love?

Love is patient, love is kind. It has no envy, nor it boasts itself and it is never proud. It rejoices over the evil and is the truth seeker. Love protects; preserves and hopes for the positive aspect of life. Always stand steadfast in love, not fall into it. It is like the dream of your matter of affection coming true. Love can occur between two or more individuals. It bonds them and connects them in a unified link of trust, intimacy and interdependence. It enhances the relationship and comforts the soul. Love should be experienced and not just felt. The depth of love can not be measured. Look at the relationship between a mother and a child. The mother loves the child unconditionally and it can not be measured at all. A different dimension can be attained between any relationships with the magic of love. Love can be created. You just need to focus on the goodness of the other person. If this can be done easily, then you can also love easily. And remember we all have some positive aspect in us, no matter how bad our deeds maybe. And as the bibles says “for God so loved the world that he gave his only son...john 3:16 that’s what love is.

The Love Dare Challenges

Day 1: Love is patient
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
—Ephesians 4:2 NIV
TODAY’S DARE
The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It’s better to hold your tongue than to say something you’ll regret.

Day 2: Love is kind
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
—Ephesians 4:32
TODAY’S DARE
In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.

Day 3: Love is not selfish
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.

—Romans 12:10
TODAY’S DARE
Whatever you put your time, energy, and money into will become more important to you. It’s hard to care for something you are not investing in. Along with restraining from negative comments, buy your spouse something that says, “I was thinking of you today.”

Day 4: Love is thoughtful
How precious also are your thoughts to me. . . .How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
—Psalm 139:17–18
TODAY’S DARE
Contact your spouse sometime during the business of the day. Have no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.
Day 5: Love is not rude
He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to him.

—Proverbs 27:14
TODAY’S DARE
Ask your spouse to tell you three things that cause him or her to be uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them or justifying your behavior. This is from their perspective only.
Day 6: Love is not irritable
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
—Proverbs 16:32
TODAY’S DARE
Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation. Begin by making a list below of areas where you need to add margin to your schedule. Then list any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life.

Day 7: Love believes the best
[Love] believes all things, hopes all things.
—1 Corinthians 13:7
TODAY’S DARE
For today’s dare, get two sheets of paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet. Place both sheets in a secret place for another day. There is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.
Day 8: Love is not jealous
Love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire.
—Song of Solomon 8:6 NIV
TODAY’S DARE
Determine to become your spouse’s biggest fan and to reject any thoughts of jealousy. To help you set your heart on your spouse and focus on their achievements, take yesterday’s list of negative attributes and discreetly burn it. Then share with your spouse how glad you are about a success he or she recently enjoyed.
Day 9: Love makes good impressions
Greet one another with a kiss of love.

—1 Peter 5:14
TODAY’S DARE

Think of a specific way you’d like to greet your spouse today. Do it with a smile and with enthusiasm. Then determine to change your greeting to reflect your love for them.

Day 10: Love is unconditional
God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
—Romans 5:8
TODAY’S DARE
Do something out of the ordinary today for your spouse—something that proves (to you and to them) that your love is based on your choice and nothing else. Wash her car. Clean the kitchen. Buy his favorite dessert. Fold the laundry. Demonstrate love to them for the sheer joy of being their partner in marriage.
Day 11: Love cherishes
Husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies.
—Ephesians 5:28
TODAY’S DARE
What need does your spouse have that you could meet today? Can you run an errand? Give a back rub or foot massage? Is there housework you could help with? Choose a gesture that says, “I cherish you” and do it with a smile.
Day 12: Love lets the other win
Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
—Philippians 2:4
TODAY’S DARE
Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse. Tell them you are putting their preference first.

Day 13: Love fights fair
If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.
—Mark 3:25
TODAY’S DARE
Talk with your spouse about establishing healthy rules of engagement. If your mate is not ready for this, then write out your own personal rules to “fight” by. Resolve to abide by them when the next disagreement occurs. If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.
Day 14: Love takes delight
Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your fleeting life.
—Ecclesiastes 9:9 HCSB
TODAY’S DARE
Purposefully neglect an activity you would normally do so you can spend quality time with your spouse. Do something he or she would love to do or a project they’d really like to work on. Just be together.
Day 15: Love is honorable
Live with your wives in an understanding way . . . and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life.
—1 Peter 3:7
TODAY’S DARE
Choose a way to show honor and respect to your spouse that is above your normal routine. It may be holding the door for her. It might be putting his clothes away for him. It may be the way you listen and speak in your communication. Show your mate that he or she is highly esteemed in your eyes.
Day 16: Love intercedes
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
—3 John 2
TODAY’S DARE
Begin praying today for your spouse’s heart. Pray for three specific areas where you desire for God to work in your spouse’s life and in your marriage.
Day 17: Love promotes intimacy
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
—Proverbs 17:9 NIV
TODAY’S DARE
Determine to guard your mate’s secrets (unless they are dangerous to them or to you) and to pray for them. Talk with your spouse, and resolve to demonstrate love in spite of these issues. Really listen to them when they share personal thoughts and struggles with you. Make them feel safe.
Day 18: Love seeks to understand
How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.
—Proverbs 3:13
TODAY’S DARE
Prepare a special dinner at home, just for the two of you. The dinner can be as nice as you prefer. Focus this time on getting to know your spouse better, perhaps in areas you’ve rarely talked about. Determine to make it an enjoyable evening for you and your mate.
Day 19: Love is impossible
Let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
—1 John 4:7
TODAY’S DARE
Look back over the dares from previous days. Were there some that seemed impossible to you? Have you realized your need for God to change your heart and to give you the ability to love? Ask Him to show you where you stand with Him, and ask for the strength and grace to settle your eternal destination.

Day 20: Love is Jesus Christ
While we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
—Romans 5:6
TODAY’S DARE
Dare to take God at His Word. Dare to trust Jesus Christ for salvation. Dare to pray, “Lord Jesus, I’m a sinner. But you have shown your love for me by dying to forgive my sins, and you have proven your power to save me from death by your resurrection. Lord, change my heart, and save me by your grace.”
Day 21: Love is satisfied in God
The Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire.
—Isaiah 58:11
TODAY’S DARE
Be intentional today about making a time to pray and read your Bible. Try reading a chapter out of Proverbs each day (there are thirty-one—a full month’s supply), or reading a chapter in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). As you do, immerse yourself in the love and promises God has for you. This will add to your growth as you walk with Him.
Day 22: Love is faithful
I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord.
—Hosea 2:20
TODAY’S DARE
Love is a choice, not a feeling. It is an initiated action, not a knee-jerk reaction. Choose today to be committed to love even if your spouse has lost most of their interest in receiving it. Say to them today in words similar to these, “I love you. Period. I choose to love you even if you don’t love me in return.”

Day 23: Love always protects
[Love] always protects.
—1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV
TODAY’S DARE
Remove anything that is hindering your relationship, any addiction or influence that’s stealing your affections and turning your heart away from your spouse.
Day 24: Love vs. Lust
The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
—1 John 2:17
TODAY’S DARE
End it now. Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it. Single out every lie you’ve swallowed in pursuing forbidden pleasure and reject it. Lust cannot be allowed to live in a back bedroom. It must be killed and destroyed—today—and replaced with the sure promises of God and a heart filled with His perfect love.
Day 25: Love forgives
What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ.
—2 Corinthians 2:10
TODAY’S DARE
Whatever you haven’t forgiven in your mate, forgive it today. Let it go. Just as we ask Jesus to “forgive us our debts” each day, we must ask Him to help us “forgive our debtors” each day as well. Unforgiveness has been keeping you and your spouse in prison too long. Say from your heart, “I choose to forgive.”

Day 26: Love is responsible
When you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.
—Romans 2:1 HCSB
TODAY’S DARE
Take time to pray through your areas of wrongdoing. Ask for God’s forgiveness, and then humble yourself enough to admit them to your spouse. Do it sincerely and truthfully. Ask your spouse for forgiveness as well. No matter how they respond, make sure you cover your responsibility in love. Even if they respond with criticism, accept it by receiving it as counsel.
Day 27: Love encourages
Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.
—Psalm 25:20
TODAY’S DARE
Eliminate the poison of unrealistic expectations in your home. Think of one area where your spouse has told you you’re expecting too much, and tell them you’re sorry for being so hard on them about it. Promise them you’ll seek to understand, and assure them of your unconditional love.
Day 28: Love makes sacrifices
He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers.
—1 John 3:16 HCSB
TODAY’S DARE
What is one of the greatest needs in your spouse’s life right now? Is there a need you could lift from their shoulders today by a daring act of sacrifice on your part? Whether the need is big or small, purpose to do what you can to meet the need.

Day 29: Love’s motivation
Render service with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men.

—Ephesians 6:7 HCSB
TODAY’S DARE
Before you see your spouse again today, pray for them by name and for their needs. Whether it comes easy for you or not, says “I love you,” then express love to them in some tangible way. Go to God in prayer again, thanking Him for giving you the privilege of loving this one special person—unconditionally, the way He loves both of you.
Day 30: Love brings unity
Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.
—John 17:11
TODAY’S DARE
Isolate one area of division in your marriage, and look on today as a fresh opportunity to pray about it. Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oneness with your spouse. Pray that He would do the same for them. And if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity.
Day 31: Love and marriage
A man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
—Genesis 2:24
TODAY’S DARE
Is there a “leaving” issue you haven’t been brave enough to conquer yet? Confess it to your spouse today, and resolve to make it right. The oneness of your marriage is dependent upon it. Follow this with a commitment to your spouse and to God to make your marriage the top priority over every other human relationship.

Day 32: Love meets sexual needs
The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
—1 Corinthians 7:3
TODAY’S DARE
If at all possible, try to initiate sex with your husband or wife today. Do this in a way that honors what your spouse has told you (or implied to you) about what they need from you sexually. Ask God to make this enjoyable for both of you as well as a path to greater intimacy.
Day 33: Love completes each other
If two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?
—Ecclesiastes 4:11
TODAY’S DARE
Recognize that your spouse is integral to your future success. Let them know today that you desire to include them in your upcoming decisions, and that you need their perspective and counsel. If you have ignored their input in the past, admit your oversight and ask them to forgive you.
Day 34: Love celebrates godliness
[Love] does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.
—1 Corinthians 13:6
TODAY’S DARE
Find a specific, recent example when your spouse demonstrated Christian character in a noticeable way. Verbally commend them for this at some point today.

Day 35: Love is accountable
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
—Proverbs 15:22 NIV
TODAY’S DARE
Find a marriage mentor—someone who is a strong Christian and who will be honest and loving with you. If you feel that counseling is needed, then take the first step to set up an appointment. During this process, ask God to direct your decisions and discernment.
Day 36: Love is God’s Word
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
—Psalm 119:105
TODAY’S DARE
Commit to reading the Bible every day. Find a devotional book or other resource that will give you some guidance. If your spouse is open to it, see if they will commit to daily Bible reading with you. Begin submitting each area of your life to its guidance and start building on the rock.
Day 37: Love agrees in prayer
If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father.
—Matthew 18:19
TODAY’S DARE
Ask your spouse if you can begin praying together. Talk about the best time to do this, whether it’s in the morning, your lunch hour, or before bedtime. Use this time to commit your concerns, disagreements, and needs before the Lord. Don’t forget to thank Him for His provision and blessing. Even if your spouse refuses to do this, resolve to spend this daily time in prayer yourself.

Day 38: Love fulfills dreams
Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.
—Psalm 37:4
TODAY’S DARE
Ask yourself what your mate would want if it was obtainable. Commit this to prayer, and start mapping out a plan for meeting some (if not all) of their desires, to whatever level you possibly can.
Day 39: Love endures
Love never fails.
—1 Corinthians 13:8
TODAY’S DARE
Spend time in personal prayer, then write a letter of commitment and resolve to your spouse. Include why you are committing to this marriage until death, and that you have purposed to love them no matter what. Leave it in a place that your mate will find it.
Day 40: Love is a covenant
Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and you’re God, my God.
—Ruth 1:16
TODAY’S DARE
Write out a renewal of your vows and place them in your home. Perhaps, if appropriate, you could make arrangements to formally renew your wedding vows before a minister and with family present. Make it a living testament to the value of marriage in God’s eyes and the high honor of being one with your mate.

Merry christmas & A Happy New Year

2009-12-26T23:29:00.000-08:00

To my dearest friends;

Our Christmas wish for you
is not a simple one
for our wish you hope and joy and peace
days filled with warmth and sun

Our wish you love and friendship too
throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
to fill your world with cheer

May you count your blessings, one by one
and when totalled by the lot
May you find all you've been given

much more than what you sought

May your journeys be short, your burdens light
may your spirit never grow old
may all your clouds have silver linings
and your rainbows pots of gold

Our wish you all this and so much more
May all your dreams come true
May you have a wonderful Christmas

And a happy New Year, too …

May God bless you and keep you safe in 2010!

With love,

Alz

Wealth Competence

2009-12-23T00:14:00.000-08:00

By Bo Sanchez

From age 12 to my 30s, I was planting. Planting means being faithful to the right things. Focusing, nurturing and developing my core gifts. Serving God and others with all my heart. Learning from my failures. In other words, I developed my Wealth Competence.

Wealth Competence is your ability to create wealth. But developing this ability isn't instant. You develop it over time.

That's why during the Planting season of my life, even if I was planting faithfully, I wasn't receiving much material reward. I was receiving a lot of spiritual blessings. I was receiving a lot of blessings in my relationships. I was receiving a lot of emotional rewards. But not financial or material rewards.

But through that difficult stage in my life, God developed my character — a very important component of my Wealth Competence.

Through the Planting Season of my life, God helped me establish my hierarchy of values.

I learned to value the spiritual more than the material.

I learned to value love more than money.

I learned to value relationship more than profit.

I learned to value the joy of hard work.

Person Before Profit

If you're going through the Planting Season, and it seems as though not much material reward is flowing your way, don't despair.

Keep planting seeds of love.

The most important abundance in the world is not material abundance but spiritual abundance. And spiritual abundance is love.

For many years, I was a poor person who was very happy with life.

I had very little money but had much love.

I was far from perfect, but I tried to love the people God sent to my path.

I especially loved the "little" people. Orphans. Elderly. Poorest of the poor.

Kid you not, I believe I went through the best business school in the world.

This will sound totally absurd to some businessman, but I believe that the first Wealth Competence is love. Loving a customer is the best business strategy.

When you love a customer, I believe the material blessings will follow.

Sure, you can make a buck by swindling a customer. Sure, you can create a huge business empire by choosing profit over person.

But why do that when there's a loving way of becoming wealthy?

If you make money without love, that business will lose its soul.

Love for Customer Drives You to Excellence

I'm a communicator. That's my core gift.

Because I love my customer, I want to give them the best product.

So I hone my craft of communication. I pray more. I study more. I prepare more. I write more. I speak more. I learn from the best communicators in the world.

That's why I believe love can be the foundation of competence.

Next week, I'll talk about the other ingredient — Wealth Consciousness.

May your dreams come true,

Bo

Merry Christmas

2009-12-21T02:09:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a

And a

Prosperous New Year

2010

I wish you all a great festive season & New Year filled with new hope, new joy and new beginnings…

From

Alz

Dont Give Up

2009-08-09T19:13:00.000-07:00

They Did Not Give Up

As a young man, Abraham Lincoln went to war a captain and returned a private. Afterwards, he was a failure as a businessman. As a lawyer in Springfield, he was too impractical and temperamental to be a success. He turned to politics and was defeated in his first try for the legislature, again defeated in his first attempt to be nominated for congress, defeated in his application to be commissioner of the General Land Office, defeated in the senatorial election of 1854, defeated in his efforts for the vice-presidency in 1856, and defeated in the senatorial election of 1858. At about that time, he wrote in a letter to a friend, "I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one cheerful face on the earth."

Winston Churchill failed sixth grade. He was subsequently defeated in every election for public office until he became Prime Minister at the age of 62. He later wrote, "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never, Never, Never, Never give up." (his capitals, mind you)

Socrates was called "an immoral corrupter of youth" and continued to corrupt even after a sentence of death was imposed on him. He drank the hemlock and died corrupting.

Sigmund Freud was booed from the podium when he first presented his ideas to the scientific community of Europe. He returned to his office and kept on writing.

Robert Sternberg received a C in his first college introductory-psychology class. His teacher commented that "there was a famous Sternberg in psychology and it was obvious there would not be another." Three years later Sternberg graduated with honors from Stanford University with exceptional distinction in psychology, summa cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa. In 2002, he became President of the American Psychological Association.

Charles Darwin gave up a medical career and was told by his father, "You care for nothing but shooting, dogs and rat catching." In his autobiography, Darwin wrote, "I was considered by all my masters and my father, a very ordinary boy, rather below the common standard of intellect." Clearly, he evolved.

Thomas Edison's teachers said he was "too stupid to learn anything." He was fired from his first two jobs for being "non-productive." As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, "How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?" Edison replied, "I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps."

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall."
~ Confucius

Albert Einstein did not speak until he was 4-years-old and did not read until he was 7. His parents thought he was "sub-normal," and one of his teachers described him as "mentally slow, unsociable, and adrift forever in foolish dreams." He was expelled from school and was refused admittance to the Zurich Polytechnic School. He did eventually learn to speak and read. Even to do a little math.

Louis Pasteur was only a mediocre pupil in undergraduate studies and ranked 15th out of 22 students in chemistry.

Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he succeeded.

R. H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York City caught on.

F. W. Woolworth was not allowed to wait on customers when he worked in a dry goods store because, his boss said, "he didn't have enough sense."

When Bell telephone was struggling to get started, its owners offered all their rights to Western Union for $100,000. The offer was disdainfully rejected with the pronouncement, "What use could this company make of an electrical toy."

John Garcia, who eventually was honored for his fundamental psychological discoveries, was once told by a reviewer of his often-rejected manuscripts that one is no more likely to find the phenomenon he discovered than to find bird droppings in a cuckoo clock. (sort of a cute critique actually)

Rocket scientist Robert Goddard found his ideas bitterly rejected by his scientific peers on the grounds that rocket propulsion would not work in the rarefied atmosphere of outer space.

Daniel Boone was once asked by a reporter if he had ever been lost in the wilderness. Boone thought for a moment and replied, "No, but I was once bewildered for about three days."

"Only those who dare to fail greatly can achieve greatly."
~ Robert F. Kennedy

An expert said of Vince Lombardi: "He possesses minimal football knowledge and lacks motivation." Lombardi would later write, "It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get back up."

Michael Jordan and Bob Cousy were each cut from their high school basketball teams. Jordan once observed, "I've failed over and over again in my life. That is why I succeed."

Babe Ruth is famous for his past home run record, but for decades he also held the record for strikeouts. He hit 714 home runs and struck out 1,330 times in his career (about which he said, "Every strike brings me closer to the next home run."). And didn't Mark McGwire break that strikeout record? (John Wooden once explained that winners make the most errors.)

Hank Aaron went 0 for 5 his first time at bat with the Milwakee Braves.

Stan Smith was rejected as a ball boy for a Davis Cup tennis match because he was "too awkward and clumsy." He went on to clumsily win Wimbledon and the U. S. Open. And eight Davis Cups.

Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, Bill Walsh, and Jimmy Johnson accounted for 11 of the 19 Super Bowl victories from 1974 to 1993. They also share the distinction of having the worst records of first-season head coaches in NFL history - they didn't win a single game.

Johnny Unitas's first pass in the NFL was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Joe Montana's first pass was also intercepted. And while we're on quarterbacks, during his first season Troy Aikman threw twice as many interceptions (18) as touchdowns (9) . . . oh, and he didn't win a single game. You think there's a lesson here?

After Carl Lewis won the gold medal for the long jump in the 1996 Olympic games, he was asked to what he attributed his longevity, having competed for almost 20 years. He said, "Remembering that you have both wins and losses along the way. I don't take either one too seriously."

"Our achievements speak for themselves. What we have to keep track of are our failures, discouragements, and doubts. We tend to forget the past difficulties, the many false starts, and the painful groping. We see our past achievements as the end result of a clean forward thrust, and our present difficulties as signs of decline and decay."
~ Eric Hoffer

Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor because "he lacked imagination and had no good ideas." He went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland. In fact, the proposed park was rejected by the city of Anaheim on the grounds that it would only attract riffraff.

Charles Schultz had every cartoon he submitted rejected by his high school yearbook staff. Oh, and Walt Disney wouldn't hire him.

After Fred Astaire's first screen test, the memo from the testing director of MGM, dated 1933, read, "Can't act. Can't sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little." He kept that memo over the fire place in his Beverly Hills home. Astaire once observed that "when you're experimenting, you have to try so many things before you choose what you want, that you may go days getting nothing but exhaustion." And here is the reward for perseverance: "The higher up you go, the more mistakes you are allowed. Right at the top, if you make enough of them, it's considered to be your style."

After his first audition, Sidney Poitier was told by the casting director, "Why don't you stop wasting people's time and go out and become a dishwasher or something?" It was at that moment, recalls Poitier, that he decided to devote his life to acting.

When Lucille Ball began studying to be actress in 1927, she was told by the head instructor of the John Murray Anderson Drama School, "Try any other profession."

The first time Jerry Seinfeld walked on-stage at a comedy club as a professional comic, he looked out at the audience, froze, and forgot the English language. He stumbled through "a minute-and a half" of material and was jeered offstage. He returned the following night and closed his set to wild applause.

In 1944, Emmeline Snively, director of the Blue Book Modeling Agency, told modeling hopeful Norma Jean Baker, "You'd better learn secretarial work or else get married." I'm sure you know that Norma Jean was Marilyn Monroe. Now . . . who was Emmeline Snively?

At the age of 21, French acting legend Jeanne Moreau was told by a casting director that her head was too crooked, she wasn't beautiful enough, and she wasn't photogenic enough to make it in films. She took a deep breath and said to herself, "Alright, then, I guess I will have to make it my own way." After making nearly 100 films her own way, in 1997 she received the European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award.

"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better."
~ Samuel Beckett

Let's end with Woody Allen: "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying. Eighty percent of success is showing up."

Love God With All Your Hearts, Mind & Soul

Helpful Tips on how to live a Happy Married Life

2009-06-22T00:10:00.000-07:00

In a married life, it is common to have problem and misunderstanding between husband and wife, especially you have children already. But that is normal for a married couple because sin is common for human. We are all facing the truth for what to do to improve our relationship as a couple. We are all longing for a happy relationship, that is why a romantic relationship is needed.

A happy married life is as essential for fulfillment as food is for hunger.

Respect each other's views at all times. So say often something like "I agree." or "That's right! Give particular attention to what the spouse wants, believes and likes and say: "I'm sorry that I disappointed you." And "I'll try to make up for that." if you may have given rise to a disagreement.

Listen to each other properly. Show consideration to your spouse, with high regard to not disagreeing unnecessarily. Give priority to your spouse over everything else in your life. Show you esteem for your spouse by giving preference over the needs and wishes of others when possible.

Sincerely say "I love you" at least once a day to each other. Start your day with a warm kiss. Take time out and spend a few moments together--just the two of you alone. Maybe you and your spouse can go out for a walk or a drive to get away from others. Talk graciously to each other about your thoughts--especially things for the two of you to agree upon or do together. Doing this daily helps foster communication between partners. Talk and thus be open hearted; this can create a bridge of thoughts and understanding. Never say things in anger intentionally meaning to hurt your partner. Verbal hurts are hard to erase and can cause lasting damage to your relationship. Cook for each other, and show that you appreciate the thoughtfulness and the food; even if you could do better, or maybe you will end up doing it all. Remember that ideally and spiritually both of you are like one soul and two bodies, so don't ever hurt each other or you hurt yourself as well. Don’t forget to do the little things that make each of you smile and feel loved. Be patient with each other as much as possible. Don’t break martial confidences or use them as a weapon during an argument.

Testimony of Rio Diaz

2009-02-06T23:20:00.000-08:00

How blessed I am to know how much my family and friends love me. The Lord allowed me to experience deep, deep, sleep. I have never ever felt that kind of peace, peace that surpasses all understanding. Dr. Fisher explained to Charlie that my nourishment would come from a bag of liquid attached to me, which has to be administered on a daily basis for life. I would never be able to eat or drink again. Surgery was ruled out, so was radiation. As a last recourse, it was suggested that I do the mildest chemo but if I so much as cough, he would remove it and just keep me comfortable. I was in awe when I was told how many people were praying for me. By God's sovereign mercy, I never coughed.. One month later, my cancer level went down by half. I am now only a few points away from being on

remission. And as if this weren't enough, God's incredible bonus is that I am back to my full diet. I can eat and drink anything now! Once again, the doctors were amazed. Yes, isn't our God amazing? God spared my life when Stanford doctors had given up on me. In my heart, I knew why. God allowed this miracle in my life to show us how gracious He is and what a powerful weapon prayer can be. And that God can perform miracles in our lives, if you let Him. I will never fully understand God's ways but I do know that God has a purpose for each of us. When God calls you to live for Him, He will invite you to be a part of something much bigger than yourself, something that requires the very best of you, something that may outlive you. When God calls us to a powerful vision, it may transcend safety and it may transcend common sense because it is all about Jesus

Christ. Without Jesus, we will not make it! Do we know, do you know, what God wants you to do with your life? If you are uncertain of God's will for your life, surrender all your plans to Jesus because God's plans for us are perfect. The cancer in my body, I did not choose. But in God's sovereignty, He allowed this affliction in my life. But I ask you, what is the cancer in your life? Is it the cancer of unforgiveness, jealousy, lust, anger or bitterness that you are holding on to? What are the wrong choices you continue to make because they give you temporary pleasure but can permanently destroy you -your husband or your wife or your children or your circle of influence? If you are going through a time of terrifying darkness and despair, or are plagued by doubts that are slowly eroding your hope that things can get better, I urge you

to surrender it all to God; give Him full control of your life. It is the only way to live. Lord, forgive me for all my sins. Jesus, come into my heart; be my Lord and my Saviour. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. Friends, Get inspired with Rio 's story like me. It just occurred to me that I am also too busy with my life & work right now. Oftentimes, I forget to pray and thank the Lord for all the blessings that I receive.. I even keep on complaining that what I have is never enough. I keep on questioning Him with all the unfairness that I observe and demanding for a lot more. I don't have any idea on the plans that he has for me because I am usually blindfolded with my own desires - desire for luxury, power & control, recognition , & comfort. I think I must also start surrendering everything to Him and let Him lead me. Didn't you guys

notice how exhausting our lives are?

Smiling after reading is not mandatory!!! !

2009-02-05T15:28:00.000-08:00

A jobless man applied for the position of "office boy" at Microsoft.

The HR manager interviewed him then watched him cleaning the floor as a test.

"You are employed.

He said." Give me your e-mail address and I'll send you the application

to fill in, as well as date when you may start."

The man replied "But I don't have a computer, neither an email."

I'm sorry", said the HR manager, "If you don't have an email, that

means you do not exist. And who doesn't exist, cannot have the job."

The man left with no hope at all. He didn't know what to do, with only

$10 in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket and buy a

10Kg tomato basket.* *

He then sold the tomatoes in a door to door round. In less than two

hours, he succeeded to double his capital. He repeated the Operation

three times, and returned home with $60. The man realized that he can

survive by this Way, and started to go everyday earlier, and return

late Thus, his money doubled or tripled every day. Shortly, he bought

a cart, then a truck, then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles.

5 years later the man is one of the biggest food retailers in the US.

He started to plan his family's future, and decided to have a life insurance.

He called an insurance broker, and chose a protection plan. When the

conversation was concluded, the broker asked him his email. The man

replied, "I don't have an email". The broker answered curiously, "You

don't have an email, and yet have succeeded to build an empire. Can

you imagine what you could have been if you had an email?!!"

The man thought for a while and replied, "Yes, I'd be an office boy at*
*Microsoft!"

Moral of the story:

M1 - Internet is not the solution to your life.

M2 - If you don't have internet, and work hard, you can be a millionaire.

M3 - If you received this message by email, you are closer to being an
office boy, than a millionaire. .........

"The Obedient Wife"

2009-02-04T15:24:00.000-08:00

There was a man who had worked all his life, had saved all of his money, and was a real "miser" when it came to his money.

Just before he died, he said to his wife..."When I die, I want you to take all my money and put it in the casket with me. I want to take my money to the afterlife with me."

And so he got his wife to promise him, with all of her heart, that when he died, she would put all of the money into the casket with him.

Well, he died. He was stretched out in the casket, his wife was sitting there - dressed in black, and her friend was sitting next to her. When they finished the ceremony, and just before the undertakers got ready to close the casket, the wife said,

"Wait just a moment!"
She had a small metal box with her; she came over with the box and put it in the casket. Then the undertakers locked the casket down and they rolled it away. So her friend said,

"Girl, I know you were not fool enough to put all that money in there with your husband."

The loyal wife replied, "Listen, I'm a Christian; I cannot go back on my word. I promised him that I was going to put that money into the casket with him."

You mean to tell me you put that money in the casket with him!?!?!?"

"I sure did," said the wife. "I got it all together, put it into my account, and wrote him a check.... If he can cash it, then he can spend it."

Send this to every clever female you know, and to every man who thinks they are smarter than women!!!

God is GREAT

2009-02-03T03:01:00.000-08:00

God is GREAT !

Concentrate on this Sentence
'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence... 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.' Something good will happen to you today; something that you have been waiting to hear.
Do not break!

Send it to all your friends... JUST DO IT!

GOD'S INVISIBLE BREATH

2008-12-22T18:42:00.000-08:00

The man whispered, "God, speak to me."
And a meadowlark sang.
But the man did not hear.

So the man yelled, "God, speak to me!"
And the thunder rolled across the sky.
But the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God, let me see you."
And a star shone brightly.
But the man did not notice.

And the man shouted, "God, show me a miracle!"
And a life was born.
But the man did not know.

So, the man cried out in despair.
"Touch me God, and let me know that you are here!"
Whereupon God reached down and touched the man.
But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

MORAL: Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way you expect.

WHEN A CHiLD PRAYS

2008-11-21T15:54:00.000-08:00

I was having lunch with friends one day. I was really getting hungry but couldn’t start eating because my friend who was blessing our food was saying a litany of prayers. Then I heard a little girl from the other table saying a simple yet poignant prayer. “Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the fries, the burger and the Coke, and for giving Mommy and Daddy the money to buy
them.” “Amen,” I replied, to the surprise of my friend who was still praying.
God takes no account of the quantity of words we use when we talk to Him. The one thing He looks into is our motives and the state of our hearts when we pray. We should never utter one syllable of prayer, either in public or in private, until we are sure that we have come into the presence of God and are actually praying to Him.
The greatest acts of worship are acts of simple obedience to God each day of the week.

JOY

2008-11-19T21:19:00.001-08:00

We sat outside in the waiting room on a long wooden bench. Big metal, double doors separated us from our final destination. The familiar warning signs indicating that radiation was prevalent in the area was posted along several walls and on the big doors. Week after week we took our seats, almost silently. Sometimes the same faces would nod to one another, but usually there was a stillness and the endless time spent waiting until a name was called......then the doors would open briefly to allow the patient to enter. This was the routine.
As the holidays approached, someone in the hospital decided it would be "cheery" to decorate these doors with Christmas wrapping paper and run ribbon up the middle and across to simulate a present. It was a genuine gesture of kindness, but somehow it seemed oddly peculiar.

But, one day, as we all sat there in silence, I saw a small corner of wrapping paper still taped to the door. Someone had forgotten to remove all of the paper. Here it was nearly Easter, I thought, and Christmas paper was still in our presence. So....I reached down to remove the torn and tattered corner.

Then, something caught my eye. The word "JOY" was imprinted on this small scrap of paper...paper barely large enough to contain these three letters. I was weary and tired and drained. How, I thought, could one find "JOY" in any of this? Certainly, I felt no such feeling. There was no trash container in sight, so I put the scrap of paper into my purse, thinking I would discard it later.

Months passed. There were good days, and not so good days. Consultations, decisions, hospitalizations, appointments. Then one day while waiting outside these same doors I decided to go through my purse and discard some of the items that so mysteriously seemed to collect in my handbag. At the bottom of my purse, I found the small scrap of Christmas paper. "Joy" it said. Yes, I remembered where it came from.....from right over there on that big metal door. Here it was nearly Easter. It seemed years had passed since Christmas. How strange that I still had this paper in my purse.

As I held it in my hand, I prayed: "Dear God, please be with my son today as he takes his final radiation treatment." It was a simple prayer, but sincere. A few moments later I was escorted into the doctor's office, and subsequently joined by my son. It was evident the news was good, for there were smiles on the doctors' faces. There would be no further radiation treatments. The scans indicated the tumor was gone. I've kept that small scrap of paper in my wallet as a reminder. God had sent me a message.....months before. I just didn't know it.

Is Masturbation a sin for Christians?

2008-11-17T15:29:00.000-08:00

Matt 5:28-29 "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."
For some psychologies said it a human behavior that you cannot control or some says it is a parts of behavior.
As a Christian I believe this because when we considered this thing as a behavioral habit, we constantly create a preparation for a bigger sin
But what if no illicit fantasies are included in masturbation? Is the act then sinful? By scripture, there is nothing to indicate that it is. Specifically, if the act is done merely as a hedge against temptation and as the body requires then there is no need for the above sinful "crutches". This is hardly exciting, and a rote act of keeping the body in submission. It cannot be done often, as the body is not that demanding if left alone by a perverted imagination. On the other hand, if we attempt a pent-up self-sex life, then we find that the body needs help from the soul through illicit fantasies, and then sin is clearly being committed.
I hope this is clear. Were it not for our perverted imaginations and lustful sense of expectation, our bodies would not cause us much trouble. It is our minds and hearts that need "treatment". It is like rev-in an engine near red-line at every traffic signal, and all the time it is running, and then complaining about the eventual engine failure. Sure the thing can rev, but not all the time. It was not made for that.
From Scripture, the line not to be crossed is the line of illicit imagination. And what a line! Minus the sinful fantasies, which are the fuel for most masturbation, all the fun and zest would be taken out of it. Thus, it would no longer be a topic of interest to you or anybody, any more than the act of going to the bathroom. It would be just "doing what was needed" to keep the body from exploding from within.
Sex was not created for this, you can be sure. That God allows masturbation to even work is a mystery (ever try tickling yourself?) and so it is reasonable to assume that it is a "gift" to keep ourselves from temptation.
Eph 5:3 (NIV) But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.
Much like a person who is an Alcoholic must avoid any kind of drinking like the plague, where others can drink with moderation and without sin, the same principle applies here. So people might come to different conclusions concerning masturbation, and that is anticipated within our faith. Each man must live in holiness before the Lord in his/her own body, and this might mean different disciplines and personal leading in each case. What works for me or you... we should not impose on anybody else as a stumbling block.

WHY SO MUCH SUFFERING?

2008-11-09T15:35:00.000-08:00

Everyone has experienced suffering and pain. Physical, emotional and spiritual, Does the presence of suffering be necessarily mean the absence of GOD? Is this obstacle to faith and belief as a Christian? This Question came out from my thought when sometimes I see poverty and suffering. Why is there suffering and pain in this world? How could this question affect Christianity? Some question goes like this, if there is no GOD, why is there so much good? If there is a GOD, why is there so much evil? GOD gives us just enough answers to those question, those who want him can have him those who want to follow the clues will. If the Bible says, Seek and you shall find, It doesn’t say everybody will find him: It doesn’t say nobody will find him. Some will find. Who are those? Those who seek. Those whose hearts are set on finding Him and who follows the clues. In my own opinion, Suffering and pain can go both ways- it can actually be used in favor of GOD and GOD allow this for reason and the reason is “ freewill” GOD did create a world where people were free and yet there was no sin. That precisely what He did. After creation, he declare that the world is good: People were free to choose to love GOD or thru away from Him. However, such a world is necessarily a phase where sin is freely possible- and indeed that potentially for sin was actualized not by GOD but by people. Is it GOD who create evil? The answer is no, He create the possibility of evils. The source of evil is not God’s power but mankind’s freedom.

A Brother's Hands

2008-10-30T17:37:00.000-07:00

(I do not know if this is true but sounds great)

Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood. Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of Albrecht Durer the Elder's children had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremberg to study at the Academy.

After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. Then, when that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other brother at the academy, either with sales of his artwork or, if necessary, also by laboring in the mines. They tossed a coin on a Sunday morning after church. Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg.

Albert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation. Albrecht's etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils were far better than those of most of his professors, and by the time he graduated, he was beginning to earn considerable fees for his commissioned works.

When the young artist returned to his village, the Durer family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht's triumphant homecoming. After a long and memorable meal, punctuated with music and laughter, Albrecht rose from his honored position at the head of the table to drink a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled Albrecht to fulfill his ambition. His closing words were, "And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will support you."

All heads turned in eager expectation to the far end of the table where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his lowered head from side to side while he sobbed and repeated over and over, "No ... no ... no ... no."
Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He glanced down the long table at the faces he loved, and then, holding his hands close to his right cheek, he said softly, "No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. It is too late for me. Look ... look what four years in the mines have done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast, much less make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush. No, brother ... for me it is too late."

More than 450 years have passed. By now, Albrecht Durer's hundreds of masterful portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, watercolors, charcoals, woodcuts, and copper engravings hang in every great museum in the world, but the odds are great that you, like most people, are familiar with only one of Albrecht Durer's works. More than merely being familiar with it, you very well may have a reproduction hanging in your home or office.

One day, long ago, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful drawing simply "Hands," but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love "The Praying Hands."

Don't give up

2008-10-28T04:19:00.000-07:00

One day I decided to quit...

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. .. I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.
I gave them light.
I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.
"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would
not quit." He said.
"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared
to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. ..But just 6
months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."
He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots".
"I would not quit on the bamboo.
I will never quit on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others."
He said.
"The bamboo had adifferent Purpose than the fern.
Yet they both make the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come", God said to me.
"You will rise high"
"How high should I rise?"
I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can.."
I left the forest and brought back this story.

Between You & Them or You & God

2008-10-25T02:56:00.000-07:00

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you.
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Positively Realistic

2008-10-22T16:50:00.000-07:00

Being positive does not mean ignoring the negative. Being positive means overcoming the negative. There's a big difference.

Often those who legitimately point out problems are accused of negative thinking. Yet it's absolutely necessary to acknowledge the problems if you ever hope to make any progress. Constant complaining, whining and excuse making are certainly negative, but addressing the problem with honesty and clarity is very positive.

If you attempt to stay positively focused by ignoring the negative you're simply not being realistic. When you can see and understand the negative aspects and then deal with them in a positive, forward looking manner, then you tap into the real power of positive focus.

Be positive and be realistic. It is a powerful combination. See the situation for what it is, and then take the appropriate actions to improve it. Fortify your positive focus not by naively ignoring the negative, but by refusing to accept it.

THE PRICE THEY PAID

2008-10-20T18:49:00.001-07:00

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the revolutionary army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the revolutionary war. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers or both, looted the properties of Ellery, Clymer, Hall, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. The owner quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." Targetshooter's notes: They gave you and I a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot of what happened in the revolutionary war. We didn't just fight the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government! Perhaps you can now see why our founding fathers had a hatred for standing armies, and allowed through the second amendment for everyone to be armed. Frankly, I can't read this without crying. Some of us take these liberties so much for granted. We shouldn't. Peace my friends.

Mail

2008-10-15T17:32:00.000-07:00

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

This is GOD. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you.
P.S. And, remember...
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFG TD (something for GOD to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.

If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for years.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.
Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Ways Of GOD

2008-10-14T17:04:00.000-07:00

Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in your life:

1. God uses problems to DIRECT you.

Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? "Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways." Proverbs 20:30

2. God uses problems to INSPECT you.

People are like tea bags...if you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot ever water! Has God tested your faith with a problem What do problems reveal about you? When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will
give you patience." James 1:2-3

3. God uses problems to CORRECT you.

Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something...health, money, a relationship... by losing it. "It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws." Psalm 119:71-72

4. God uses problems to PROTECT you.

A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem - but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's actions were eventually discovered. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good... Genesis 50:20

5. God uses problems to PERFECT you.

Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity. "We can rejoice when we run into problems... they help us learn to be patient. And
patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady." Romans 5:3-4

Here's the point:

God is at work in your life - even when you do not recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him.

"Success can be measured not only in achievements, but in lessons learned, lives touched and moments shared along the way."

Be Inspired

2008-10-09T03:40:00.000-07:00

THE DATE

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take

another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said I

love you but I know this other woman loves you and

would love to spend some time with you.

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my

MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the

demands of my work and my three children had made it

possible to visit her only occasionally.

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner

and a movie.

"What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My mother is

the type of woman who suspects that a late night call

or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

"I thought that it would be pleasant to be with you," I

responded. "Just the two of us."

She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I

would like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up

I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I

noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our

date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had

curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had

worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary.

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an

angel's.

"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my

son, and they were impressed, "she said, as she got

into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our

meeting". We went to a restaurant that, although not

elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my

arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down,

I had to read the menu. Large print. Half way through

the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting

there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips.

"It was I who used to have to read the menu when you

were small," she said.

"Then it's time that you relax and let me return the

favor," I responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation -

nothing extraordinary, but catching up on recent

events of each other's life. We talked so much that we

missed the movie.

As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go

out with you again, but only if you let me invite

you." I agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got

home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have

imagined," I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart

attack. It happened so suddenly that I did to do

anything for her.

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy

of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and

I had dined.

An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I

wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I

paid for two plates - one for you and the other for

your wife. You will never know what that night meant

for me. I love you, son."

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying

in time: "I LOVE YOU!" and to give our loved ones the

time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more

important than God and your family. Give them the

time they deserve, because these things cannot be put

off till "some other time."

Pass this along to everyone with an aging parent or someone without a
parent but a loving guardian, to a

child, or to an adult. Here's

hoping today is better than yesterday and tomorrow.

Lessons in Life

2008-10-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

Lessons in Life

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.

Moral:

Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.

Don't judge life by one difficult season.

Words of Wisdom & Famous quote

2008-10-06T16:11:00.000-07:00

A coincidence is when God performs a miracle and decides to remain anonymous.

TO MY CHILD

Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub, and I will not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening, when I run my fingers through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.

And when I kiss you good night, I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except for one more day..