? meal

An Atheist...

A self professed Atheist, hiking in the woods ran across a bear that begins to chase him. When he cannot get away from the bear, running, he falls and the bear approaches. As the bear is about to attack, he yells out, "Oh, my  God! Help!"

Suddenly, time freezes. The stream stops, the wind is still, and the bear freezes.

All of a sudden a cloud lowers to the earth and a voice billows out of it. "After all these years, you claim to be an atheist Now, at your darkest hour  you call my name. What shall I do with you, shall you call yourself a  Christian after all these years?"

The Atheist replied, "You are right. After all these years, it would be hypocritical of me to proclaim Christianity when I am not one. But I'll tell  you what, how about making the bear a Christian, and that should solve the problem."

"Right", the voice said, "you've got it." And the cloud disappeared.

Just then, the stream started flowing, the wind began blowing, and the bear began to move. All of a sudden, the bear stopped clawing at the man, fell to his knees and brought his paws together. And said, "For the meal I am about  to receive, may the Lord make me truly grateful."

-gofaone august 31st, 2004

? moses

Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them?   

They had to be fed, and feeding 2 or 3 million people requires a lot of food. 

  

According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1500 tons of food each day. Do you know that to bring that much food each day, two freight trains, each at least a mile long, would be required! 

  

Besides you must remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for one day. 

  

And just think, they were forty years in transit. 

  

And Oh yes!  They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long, just to bring water! 

  

And then another thing! 

  

They had to get across the Red Sea at night. Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. So there had to be a space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5000 abreast to get over in one night. 

  

But then, there is another problem...............each time they camped at the   end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long........ think of it! This much space for camping. 

  

Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not! You see, Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him. 

  

Now do you think God has any problem taking care of all your needs? 

-gofaone  August 23rd, 2013

missionary

1 cup consideration

1 cup courtesy

2 cups flattery,carefully concealed

2 cups milk of human kindeness

1 gallon faith in God and others

2 cups praise

1 pinch of visitors

1 reasonable helpmate(optional)

A generous dash of cooperation

3 teaspoons pure extract of "I am sorry"

1 cup of contentment

1 cup @of confidense,encouregementand helpfulness, and interest in others

1 large or several small hobbies

1 cup blindness to others' faults

1 trustworthy servant(optional)

 

"Flavour with frequent portions of recreation and dash of happy memorries.

Stir well and remove specks of jealousy, temper or criticism.Sweeten well with generous portions of love and keep warm with a steady flame of devotion.Never serve with cold shoulder or hot tongue"

-narindwa sekimang'a August 6th, 2004

drinking

     DRINKING FROM  MY  SAUCER

I've never made a fortune, and it's probably too late now.

But I don't worry about that much, I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way,I'm reaping better than I sowed.

I'm drinking from my saucer, "Cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven't got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going's tough.

But I've got loving ones all around me, and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings, and the mercies He's bestowed.

I'm drinking from my saucer, "Cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong, My faith wore somewhat thin.

But all at once the dark clouds broke, and the sun peeped thru again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe, about the tough rows I have hoed.

I'm drinking from my saucer, "Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage, When the way grows steep and rough.

I'll not ask for other blessings, I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy, to help others bear their loads.

Then I'' ll  keep drinking from my saucer, "Cause my cup has overflowed.

When I think of how many people in this world have it worse than I do.

I realize just how blessed most of us really are.

-the binas June 24, 2003

son

It's a Wednesday night and you are at a church prayer meeting when somebody runs in from the parking lot and says, "Turn on a radio, turn on a radio."And while the church listens to a little transistor radio with a microphone stuck up to it, the announcement is made:

"Two women are lying in a Long Island hospital dying from the mystery flu."

Within hours it seems, this thing just sweeps across the country. People are working around the clock trying to find an antidote.  Nothing is working. USA, Asia, Africa, Europe, Australasia.  It's as though it's just sweeping in from all over the world. And then, all of a sudden the news comes out.

The code has been broken. A cure can be found. A vaccine can be made. It's going to take the blood of somebody who

hasn't been infected, and so, sure enough, all through the world, through all those channels of emergency broadcasting,

everyone is asked to do one simple thing: Go to your downtown hospital and have your blood type taken. That's all we ask of you.

When you hear the sire! ns go off in your neighborhood, please make your way quickly, quietly, and safely to the hospitals. Sure enough, when you and your family get down there late on that Friday night, there is a long line, and they've got nurses and doctors coming out and pricking fingers and taking blood and putting labels on it.Your wife and your kids are out there, and they take your blood type and they say, "Wait here in the parking lot and if we call your name, you can be dismissed and go home."

You stand around, scared, with your neighbors, wondering what in the world is going on and if this is the end of the world. Suddenly a young man comes running out of the hospital screaming. He's yelling a name and waving a clipboard.

What? He yells it again! And your son tugs on your jacket and says, "Daddy, that's me." Before you know it, they have grabbed your boy. Wait a minute. Hold on!

And they say, "It's okay, his blood is clean. His blood is pure. We want to make sure he doesn't have the disease. We think he has got the right type." Five tense minutes later, out come the doctors and nurses, crying! and hugging one another-some are even laughing. It's the first time you have seen anybody laugh in a week, and an old doctor walks up to you and says, "Thank you, sir. Your son's blood type is perfect. It's clean, it is pure, and we can make the vaccine."

As the word begins to spread all across that parking lot full of folks, people are screaming and praying and laughing and crying.  But then the gray-haired doctor pulls you and you wife aside and says, "May we see you for moment?  We didn't realize that the donor would be a minor and we need ... we need you to sign a consent form."

You begin to sign and then you see that the number of pints of blood to be taken is empty."H-how many pints?"

And that is when the old doctor's smile fades and he says, "We had no idea it would be little child.  We weren't prepared. We need it all." "But-but...You don't understand."  "We are talking about the world here. Please sign. We need it all!"

"But can't you give him a transfusion?" "If we had clean blood we would. Can you sign? Would you sign?"  In numb silence, you do. 

Then they say, "Would you like to have a moment with him before we begin?" Can you walk back? Can you walk back to that room where he sits on a table saying, "Daddy? Mommy? What's going on?" Can you take his hands and say, "Son, your mommy and I love you, and we would never ever let anything happen to you that didn't just have to be. Do you understand that?"

And when that old doctor comes back in and says, "I'm sorry, we've-got to get started. People all over the world are dying.

Can you leave? Can you walk out while he is saying, "Dad? Mom? Dad? "Why, why have you forsaken me?"

And then next week, when they have the ceremony to honor your son, and some folks sleep through it, and some folks don't even come because they go to the lake, and some folks come with a pretentious smile and just pretend to care.

Would you want to jump up and say, "MY SON DIED FOR YOU! DON'T YOU CARE?" Is that what GOD wants to say?

"MY SON DIED FOR YOU. DON'T YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I CARE?"

Father, seeing it from your eyes breaks our hearts. Maybe now we can begin to comprehend the great Love you have for us."

-author unknown 2003

exercise

But let them ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:6.

Faith ... reaches out to grasp the hand of Christ, knowing that He will hold more firmly than it is possible for the human hand to hold, and that He will never let go. While the human agent is willing to be led, Christ will lead him....

Faith is the very lifeblood of the soul. Its presence gives warmth, health, consistency, and sound judgment. Its vitality and vigor exert a powerful though unconscious influence. The life of Christ in the soul is as a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life. It leads to a constant cultivation of the heavenly graces and to a kindly submission in all things to the Lord. It enables us to reveal that Christ is abiding in the soul....

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Have we not proved this in the past as we have moved out in faith to produce the things now seen? ... Faith is not only to look forward to things unseen; it is to be confirmed by looking at past experience, at tangible results, the verification of God's Word.... Pray, "Lord, increase my faith." Faith quickens the senses to work diligently to produce results. Faith elevates and ennobles the powers of the soul, enabling it to lay hold upon the unseen....

Entanglements in secular business are sometimes permitted by God to stir the sluggish faculties to more than common action, that He may honor faith by the bestowal of rich blessings. This is a means of advancing His work. But those who are without faith will never learn. By unbelief they dishonor their Lord. Unless they are converted, they will make shipwreck of their faith. They stand in the way of advancement, and this the Lord will not tolerate. He desires His people, even in the darkest shadow, to trust in Him.

Satan is permitted to throw his shadow across their pathway that their dormant faith may be aroused to pierce the cloud, and find light and courage and life beyond....

Looking unto Jesus, not only as our Example, but as the Author and Finisher of our faith, let us go forward, having confidence that He will supply us with all the strength that is needed for every duty. Eternal life is presented to us. Let us do all in our power to gain it.

-E G White, Manuscript 18, February 27, 1901

morn

C. S. Lewis wrote: “The moment you wake up each morning your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job of each morning consists in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, letting that other, stronger, larger, quieter life come flowing in.”

Here’s how the psalmist began his day: “Every morning, I tell you what I need, and I wait for your answer” (Psalm 5:3).

Spend time waiting on God. And, at the end of the day, thank God for the good parts. Question him about the hard parts. Seek his mercy.  Seek his strength. And as you close your eyes, take this assurance into your sleep: “He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4).  

If you fall asleep as you pray, don’t worry. What better place to doze off than in the arms of your Father.

fireworks

A few weeks before Independence Day, I noticed a fireworks stand in a parking lot in our city. It reminded me of the many wonderful fireworks shows I've attended with my family. There's something magical about those brilliant colors exploding against the dark sky.

But there's a problem with fireworks. They don't last. The same is true of many of the "fireworks" experiences in our lives. We fight and struggle for things that seem beautiful and alluring, but after we get them, their appeal disappears, just like fireworks. Maybe it's a shiny new car or dream vacation.  Maybe it's a big, impressive house. It might even be a promotion at work or a prestigious career.

So many of the things of this world are like fireworks. They promise happiness and fulfillment but can't deliver. TV commercials play on our emotions, making us believe that if we drive a certain kind of SUV or clean our floors with their super-efficient mop, we'll be happy at last. More often than not, all we feel is disillusioned.

If you've had enough of these "fireworks" experiences and the letdowns that follow, I challenge you to pursue the only thing in life that doesn't disappoint: a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The astounding thing about loving God is that it actually gets better every day. Once you give your heart to Jesus, you'll have happiness and fulfillment that lasts into eternity, and you'll never want to go back to "fireworks" experiences again.

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."  (Colossians 3:1-2)

-Author Unknown

love

LOVE starts with a SMILE , grows with a KISS , and ends with a TEAR. DON'T cry over anyone who won't cry over you. Good FRIENDS are hard to find, harder to leave,  and  impossible to forget.

You can only go as far as you push.  ACTIONS speak louder than words.  The HARDEST thing to do is watch the one you love, love somebody else.  DON'T let the past hold you back, you're missing the good stuff. LIFE'S SHORT. If you don't look around once in a while  you might miss it.  A BEST FRIEND is like a four leaf clover, HARD TO FIND and LUCKY TO HAVE. 

Some people make t he w! orld SPECIAL just by being in it.  BEST FRIENDS are the siblings God forgot to give us. 

When it HURTS  to look back, and you're SCARED  to look ahead,    you canlook beside you and your BEST FRIEND will be there. 

TRUE FRIENDSHIP "NEVER" ENDS. Friends are FOREVER. Good friends are like STARS    You don't always see them,                  

  but you know they are ALWAYS THERE.  DON'T  frown.  You never know who is falling in love with your smile. 

What do you do when the only person who can make you stop crying is the person who made you cry? 

Nobody is perfect until you fall in love with them. Everything is okay in the end. If it's not okay, then it's not the end. 

Most people walk in and out of your life, but only FRIENDS leave  footprints in your heart. 

Remember, every ! minute spent angry is sixty seconds of happiness wasted. 

mountain

The God of the mountains is the God of the valley,   when things goes wrong he’ll make them right, for the God of the good times same God in the bad times, God of the day is the God in the night. See this to the following story……

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened - everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.

"God, how could you do this to me?" he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.

"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It's easy to get discouraged sometimes when things appear to be going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.

For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.

You say, "It's impossible".
God says: "All things are possible". (Luke 18:27)

You say, "I'm too tired."
God says: "I will give you rest". (Matt 11:28-20)

You say, "Nobody really loves me".
God says: "I love you". (John 3:16 - John 13:34)

You say, "I can't go on."
God says: "My grace is sufficient." (II Cor. 12:9 - Psalm 91:15)

You say, "I can't figure things out."
God says: "I will direct your steps." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say, "I can't do it."
God says: "You can do all things in me." (Phil 4:13)

You say, "It's not worth it."
God says: "It will be worth it." (Romans 8:28)

You say, "I can't forgive myself."
God says: "I forgive you." (I John 1:9 - Romans 8:1)

You say, "I can't manage."
God says: "I will supply all your needs." (Phil 4:19)

You say, "I'm afraid."
God says: "I have not given you a spirit of fear." (II Tim. 1:7)

You say, "I'm always worried and frustrated".
God says: "Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say, "I don't have enough faith."
God says: "I've given everyone a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)

You say, "I'm not smart enough."
God says: "I give you wisdom." (I Cor. 1:30)

You say, "I feel all alone."
God says: "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Heb. 13:5)

-vero tembe 2003

centre

 The Center of The Bible 

This might seem pretty strange... But even if you are not a believer, you should read this...
What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?
Answer - Psalms 117
What is the longest chapter in the Bible?
Answer - Psalms 119
Which chapter is in the center of the Bible?
Answer - Psalms 118

There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118.

There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118.

Add up the 594 plus 594, and you get 1188.

What is the center verse in the Bible?
Answer - Psalms 118:8
Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will for our lives?

The next time someone says they would like to find God's perfect will for their lives and that they want to be in the center of His will, just send them to the center of His Word!

Psalms 118:8 (NKJV) "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

.....today

A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle, The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was shabby, old and his coat was worn and frayed, the man knelt, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away. In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear, He decided to stop the man and ask him, "What are you doing here?" The old man said he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power. "I stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord, this is what I say: "I just came again to tell you, Lord, how happy I have been, since we found each others friendship and you took away sin, don't know much of how to pray, but I think about you everyday. So, Jesus this is Jim checking in today". The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine. He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime. Time to go, Jim smiled, and said "Thanks." He sped to the door. The minister knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer:  "How happy I've been, since we found each other's friendship and you took away my sin. I don't know much of how to pray, but I think about you everyday. So, Jesus, this is me checking in today." Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come. As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill.  The week that Jim was with them, brought changes in the ward. His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile; "The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that in here all the while everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me: "I just came again to tell you, Jim, how happy I have been, since we found this friendship, and I took away your sin. Always love to hear you pray, I think about you each day, and so Jim, this is Jesus checking in today."

.....priority

Tue, Feb 18, 2003 at 9:36 

A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front him. When class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks right to the top, rocks about 2" diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them in to the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The students laughed. He asked his students again if the jar was full? They agreed that yes, it was.

The professor then picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. "Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this is your life. The rocks are the important things - your family your partner, your health your children - anything that is so important to you that if it were lost you would be nearly destroyed. The pebbles are the other things in life that matter, but on a smaller scale. The pebbles represent things like your job, house, or car. The sand is everything else, the small stuff."

"If you put the sand or the pebbles into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, material things, you will never have room for the things that are truly most important.

Pay attention to the things that are critical in your life:

Play with your children. 

Take time to get medical checkups. 

Take your partner out dancing. 

There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a  dinner party and fix the disposal.

Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter, set your priorities, the rest is just pebbles and sand.

May there always be work for your hands to do; may your purse always hold a coin or two; may the sun always shine on your windowpane; may a rainbow be certain to follow each rain; may the hand of a friend always be near you; may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

-Feb 2008

........pews.......

DIFFERENT PEWS - In most churches the pews look alike. But they are really very different.

THE CRITICAL PEW- This pew watches the pastor of the church with an eagle eye. The singing is too soft or too loud. The building is always too hot or too cold. The critical pew finds everything but the blessings of God.

THE IRREGULAR PEW- Sometimes this irregular pew is full; sometimes it is empty. The problem is that you never know what to expect from this pew.

THE CORDIAL PEW- This pew is always radiant like the sunshine. This pew greets other pews with genuine cordiality, extends a handshake to every visitor and listens with joy to the sermons.

THE PRAYERFUL PEW- This pew spends a moment or two with bowed head in silent prayer upon entering the church. This pew comes to worship and brings the spirit of worship with it into the church.

THE SLEEPY PEW- This is the pew usually occupied by those who watched the late show. There are many "nods" in this pew but there are seldom "nods" of approval.

THE BORED PEW - This pew is occupied by those who take no mental or spiritual preparations for the service. It seldom offers a prayer for the pastor or singers or that the message will be helpful. This pew is located very near the Critical pew, usually in the back of the church. Not much music comes from the bored pew and when the services ends, it complains that the spiritual meal was blah. Which of these pews will you occupy when you come to worship in the

Lord's hosts

positive

Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.

How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.

Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open.  

Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?

Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.  If Walmart is lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet? You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.

We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors....but they all exist very nicely in the same box.

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.