.....whirlwind

The United States has the dubious honor of having more tornadoes each year than every other country on the planet combined. These frightening storms can result in record numbers of injuries and deaths. One of the deadliest outbreaks ever seen was in April 1974. During a single 24-hour period, a record 148 tornadoes tore through the Midwest, killing more than three hundred people and injuring more than six thousand.

The worst tornadoes, classified as F5, are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more. In the spring of 1999, a massive F5 tornado stayed on the ground near Oklahoma City for one hour and 25 minutes, killing 41 people, destroying thousands of homes and vehicles, and racking up approximately one billion dollars of damages. Researchers clocked the wind at 318 mph, which is the fastest surface wind ever recorded on Earth. 

Tornadoes have been known to transport a thousand-pound bale of hay over 5 miles, drive a piece of straw through a 2x4 piece of wood, imbed a plastic music record halfway into a telephone pole, and leave a semi-truck dangling from a tree. 

On April 24, 1990, a 100-yard-wide tornado touched down in Barton County, Kansas, lifting 88 train cars off the tracks and stacking them three to four cars high. 

Tornadoes have also done some bizarre things like putting cows in treetops. 

An unusual incident occurred in 1957 in Thomasville, Alabama: thousands of small fish, frogs, and crayfish fell from the sky. A tornado had pulled up lake water some miles away, and as the winds lost strength, the little animals rained down across the countryside. 

In the Bible, God’s judgment is sometime pictured as a tornado: “Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord has gone forth in fury—a violent whirlwind! It will fall violently on the head of the wicked” (Jeremiah 23:19). But God’s people don’t need to fear! “When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation” Proverbs 10:25. In fact, one of God’s righteous, Elijah, even rode a tornado to heaven! 

"And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."

2 Kings 2:11

-doug batchelor

.......freedom

 "Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die." Genesis 42:2

F. B. Meyer in his book, The Life of Joseph, describes a time in the life of the 12 sons of Jacob in which they were driven from their lives of self-satisfaction to an unlikely place to save their lives. Many years earlier they had thrown their youngest brother into a pit, then sold him into slavery. Thirteen years later he became the second most powerful person in Egypt. Now the world was experiencing a famine, and Joseph controlled all the stored grain of Egypt.

As long as the hills were green and the pastures clothed with flocks, as long as the valleys were covered over with corn and rang with the songs of reapers, Reuben, Simeon, and the rest of them would have been unconcerned and content. But when the mighty famine came, the hearts of these men were opened to conviction. Their carnal security was shattered. They were being prepared for certain spiritual experiences they would never have dreamed. And they were being prepared for the meeting with Joseph.

This is how God deals with us; He breaks up our nest, He loosens our roots, He sends a mighty famine that cuts away the whole staff of bread. Then, at such times, weary, worn, and sad, we are prepared to confess our sins and receive the words of Christ when He says, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" Mt. 11:28.

A missionary once said, "There is a place where we will all be obedient." Joseph was a picture of Christ in the Old Testament. The famine was an event designed to bring the brothers to repentance and a saving knowledge, physically and spiritually. It created the circumstances that led to freedom for these men, for they had been in bondage to a wicked crime against their brother for many years.

It was the forgiveness from Joseph that led to that freedom.

Is your life passing through a time of famine? 

Are your supplies limited? 

Is God leading you into directions that you would not normally seek? 

Perhaps this is God's hand creating circumstances for His purposes. Now is the time to look attentively as He directs you to unlikely sources.

-os hillman

.....? hat

 "I will not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands"  Isaiah 49:15-16

When neighbors moved into a nearby home, they were in their backyard all the time. Barbecues, parties, just hanging out.  Now, a year later, they are seldom outside. The fun and thrill of the new tropical patio has become "old hat".

For us, places, things, jobs, toys, even people and relationships can become routine and lose their sparkle. Sometimes we want something new altogether, more interesting, more exciting.

Some good news is simple, but true, and that is...  "we never become old hat to God".  His thoughts are ever towards us. He cares for us constantly, and continually. We are always on His mind and in His thoughts, our names are even written on His palms so He will be sure to not forget!

Great, enduring, lasting is His love for us.  

We are not and never will be "old hat" to our heavenly Father.

-david langerfeld

....most

Do you recognize the name Ed Roberts?  Do an internet search for "Ed Roberts Computer".  You might be very surprised at what you find.  In the mid 1970's, Ed Roberts created the world's first commercially successful personal computer.  He hired a 19 year old named Bill Gates to write software for him.

Roberts sold his computer business in 1977 and bought a farm. Seven years later, at age 41, he entered medical school. Today Bill Gates is the head of the largest computer software company in the world.  Ed Roberts was a physician in a small Georgia town until he passed away in 2010. 

During an interview, Roberts said, "People are always assuming that the PC (personal computer) was the most important thing I've ever done.  That's just not true. Every day I deal with things that are far more important here with my patients."

How can we evaluate the significance of our lives? Something deep inside tells us such a thing cannot be measured by wealth and fame.

As we look at the apostle Paul's turbulent life, it seems noteworthy that he approached the end with a peaceful sense of successful completion. He wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2Timothy 4:7  Paul looked confidently not to the world but to "the Lord, the righteous Judge" for approval and reward V8.

All the success and fame and fortune that we achieve will be nothing unless Jesus is our Savior and Lord of our life.

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33

-dave langerfeld

 

.....library

According to Guinness World Records, the largest library in the world is none other than the U.S. Library of Congress, which contains more than 151.8 million items. The library, first built in 1800, is now housed in four separate buildings in Washington, D.C. (as well as the Packard Campus in Culpeper, Virginia), and contains 1349 kilometres of bookshelves that currently hold over 34 million books. In addition to books, this mega library houses 3.3 million recordings, 13.4 million photographs, 5.4 million maps, 6.5 million pieces of sheet music, and 66.6 million manuscripts. To top things off, the inventory grows by approximately 10,000 new items each working day.

The library was originally housed in the United States Capitol for most of the 1800s. Unfortunately, many books were lost during the War of 1812 when the British troops set fire to the Capitol building. About 3,000 volumes were lost. A few years later Thomas Jefferson sold his entire personal collection of books to the library 6,487. After the Civil War a separate building was constructed. Even though the library is open to the public, you cannot check out a book unless you are a library employee, member of Congress, a Supreme Court Justice, or some other high-ranking government official.

 

One of the interesting collections in the Library of Congress is the “incunabula” books, which are books or pamphlets printed before the year 1501, of which 5,600 are housed. The Library of Congress actually houses one of three rare copies of the Gutenberg Bible (printed in 1455 on vellum). In spite of the massive variety of books found in the Library of Congress, only one book has always stayed on the top of bestseller lists— the Bible. 

Paul says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God …” 2 Timothy 3:16. No other book housed in any library can compare with the Bible. 

Buildings and books may burn, but “You shall keep them [the words of the Lord], O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever” Psalm 12:7. 

 

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17

-doug batchelor

....now

One day a mother decided to take her three children to an ice skating party in a nearby town, but after several wrong turns and stops to ask directions, she pulled over to the side of the road and suggested they all ask God to help them find the rink. When they finally arrived, they were nearly an hour late.

The following week, as they got into the car to go skating again, her five-year-old son exclaimed, "Mom, let's pray now and save time!"

That little boy exposed one of the shortcomings in the prayer lives of many of us.  We pray to God whenever we get into trouble, asking God to help take care of us.  And there's certainly nothing wrong with that.  God wants us to turn to Him when we are in need.  As the Psalmist said, "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles." Psalm 34:17

But sometimes that's the only time we pray.  We don't feel the need to pray when things are going well in our lives.  But, as that little 5-year-old boy noted, perhaps we wouldn't be in need nearly as much if we prayed in advance.  

If we prayed for wisdom.  

If we prayed for God's guidance in our lives.  If we gave thanks for the many blessings we enjoy.  If we prayed for God's will to be done.  If we asked for God's presence.  If we gave God the honor due Him.

As a father, I didn't mind if my children came to me when they needed something.  I wanted them to do that.  But it would have bothered me if that's the only time they ever spoke to me.  I wanted a relationship with them that went beyond meeting their needs, a relationship of mutual love.  An attitude of constant prayer is a distinguishing mark of the mature Christian, which is why we are commanded to "pray without ceasing" 1 Thess. 5:17.  

As someone once put it, "If you only pray when you're in trouble, you're in trouble."

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." Col. 4:2  

Let's pray now!

-alan smith

....winner

 In 1962, four nervous young musicians played their first record audition for the executives of the Decca Recording company.  The executives were not impressed. While turning down this group of musicians, one executive said, "We don't like their sound. Groups of guitars are on the way out." The group was called "The Beatles"

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."  She went on to become an actress named Marilyn Monroe.

In 1954, Jimmy Denny, manager of the Grand Ole Opry, fired a singer after one performance. He told him, "You ain't goin' nowhere son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck."  He went on to become the most popular singer in America, named Elvis Presley.

When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, it did not ring off the hook with calls from potential backers. After making a demonstration call, President Rutherford Hayes said, "That's an amazing invention, but who would ever want to use one of them?"

Wilma Rudolph was the 20th of 22 children. She was born prematurely and her survival was doubtful. When she was 4 years old, she contacted double pneumonia and scarlet fever, which left her with a paralyzed left leg. At age 9, she removed the metal leg brace she had been dependent on and began to walk without it. By 13, she had developed rhythmic walk, which doctors said was a miracle.

That same year, she decided to become a runner. She entered a race and came in last.   For the next few years, every race she entered she came in last. Everyone told her to quit, but she kept on running. One day, she actually won a race. And then another. From then on, she won every race she entered. Eventually this little girl, who was told she would never walk again, went on to win three Olympic gold medals.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through the experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened.  Remember, the finest steel gets sent through the hottest furnace. A REAL WINNER is not one who never fails, but one who NEVER QUITS!

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

 

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:12-14

-steve blair

.....white

Looking outside my window at the gently-falling snow, I am reminded of the time I visited some friends in Clearview, Alberta, Canada.  During the night, a beautiful snowfall had blanketed the entire area.  In the early morning hours, as I ate breakfast and looked outside the window, everything I saw was pure white.  The snow had covered everything with its beauty.   

In the midst of that beautiful white snow, I saw something moving.  It was dirty, and dingy, and filthy.  As it approached me, I soon realized that the dirty-looking animal was actually the family pet - a white poodle.  Inside the house, that poodle looked so white and so pure.  But against the background of the fresh, fallen snow, that same poodle looked dirty and unclean.

It reminded me of the way God sees us and the way we tend to see ourselves.  When we compare our lives to someone else's life, we look "pretty good" and "pretty clean".  Our sins don't look that bad.  In fact, they don't look "black" at all, they're only a "dull grey".  But when we compare our "holiness" to God's holiness, we soon realize like Isaiah, that our "righteousness is as filthy rags".  Isaiah 64:6

 

Like the white poodle who looked so white inside the house, but so dirty against the new snow, our lives can look "good" to the world and to the people around us, but look "dirty" when we compare our lives to the holiness and the purity of God.  Here's the good news...  1 John 1:9 reminds us that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". 

Forgiven  -  Cleansed  -  Pure  -  Holy. 

When we confess our sins, that's the way God looks at us.  The same snow that reminds us of our unrighteousness can remind us of our right-standing in God's presence when we place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ and confess our sins.  The Bible says it this way, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow"  Isaiah 1:18            

-david langerfeld

....grip

I think we all know people who have made a so-called commitment to follow Jesus, and then they mysteriously fall away. We saw them in church week after week or maybe month after month for a time. Then suddenly, they disappeared.

Where did they go? What happened to them? They no longer respond to text messages, emails, or phone calls. They’re simply gone. And then we find out they fell away spiritually.

Their marriage may have fallen apart, or maybe they went back to the old life again and started doing what they used to do. But they no longer have any interest in following Jesus.

Maybe you’ve wondered, “Wow, if someone like that could fall away, then am I next?”

My answer might surprise you: that’s entirely up to you. God has given us a free will, so if you want to fall, you certainly can. But if you want to be safe in the protective arms of Jesus, then that is exactly where you will be.

In John 17, Jesus prayed for our preservation. He said, “Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are” verse 11.

God wants to preserve you, but you have to do your part. The moment you fail to move forward spiritually is the moment you effectively begin to go backward. But falling away doesn’t happen overnight. Generally, it’s a matter of relaxing your grip here or there. You gradually do a little less of the things that help you to grow spiritually, and it starts the process of slowing down.

If you want to be close to the Lord, that is entirely up to you.

-greg laurie

.....team

Romans 8:26-27 tells us that when we are so discouraged, when the pain is too deep, the disappointment too profound, the sense of loss so overwhelming that we can't put it into words, the Holy Spirit says, "My child, I understand. Let me take over. I'll talk to God for you." And He prays for us with groans that words cannot express.

 

Even when no one else cares or knows or understands, even when we can't understand anything around us, even when the present is bleak and the future a dark mystery, the Son in heaven and the Holy Spirit on earth are interceding for us. We are being prayed for by the #1 Prayer Team in the universe. One is above, one is below, and we're right in the middle. That ought to encourage us. 

-ray pritchard

.....looking

 When you thought I wasn't looking,

     I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
     I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
     I saw you make my favorite cake just for me, and I knew that little things are special things.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
     I heard you say a prayer, and I believed there is a God I could always talk to.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
     I felt you kiss me goodnight, and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
     I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
     I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
     I looked...  and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.

When you think they aren't looking, do they see Christ in your life ?

"I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me." Galatians 2:20
-david walls

....passion

 A Passion to Know Him

The apostle Paul had more reasons than any of us today to glory in his accomplishments, and yet he made it clear that his resumé meant nothing to him.

In fact, Paul counted "all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ." Philippians 3:3-8

The truth is, Paul didn’t lay aside anything to follow Christ that he shouldn’t have laid aside. He had been super-religious as a Pharisee, trying to gain entrance into heaven in his own power. But when he had an encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, he learned that a relationship with the living God surpassed everything he’d ever done or could do on his own. His accomplishments were rubbish.

Actually, at the very bottom line, he had given up nothing of value and yet gained everything.

How many of us today refuse to lay aside those things that have no value? How many of us so pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus that we count all else as loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Him, really knowing Him?

Are you willing to lay aside everything that competes with your love and devotion for Christ? 

As you live moment by moment, do you make knowing Him your top priority?

-nixon gecheo

....awesome

This is almost overwhelming when you think about it. You MUST read to the end: (smile)

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?

I asked the Lord to ble s s you As I prayed for you today. To guide you and protect you as you go along your way.......... His love is always with you, His promises are true, And when we give Him all our cares, You know He will see us through.

Our God is an Awesome God!! So when the road you're traveling on seems difficult at best, just remember I'm praying and God will do the rest.

-asenath nyantika

...atheist

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, "Your 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."

...true

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less.

No one can go back and make a brand new start.  Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Disappointments are like road bumps, they slow you down a bit but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards.

Don't stay on the bumps too long. Move on! When you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy, because God has thought of something better to give you.

When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means. There's a purpose to life's events, to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too hard.

You can't make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved, the rest is up to the person to realize your worth.  It's better to lose your pride to the one you love, than to lose the one you love because of pride.

We spend too much time looking for the right person to love or finding fault with those we already love, when instead we should be perfecting the love we give.

Never abandon an old friend. You will never find one who can take his/her place.

 

....weak

'The expression is paradoxical, and seems somewhat singular; yet it was the experience of the apostle Paul, a man of calm spirit, by no means fanciful, a wise man, and far removed from a fanatic. It was the experience of one who was led of the Spirit of God, and therefore it was a gracious experience: 

the experience of one who was a father in Israel, who could safely bid us to be imitators of him, even as he imitated the Lord Jesus Christ; and therefore it was a safe experience. If we are weak, so was Paul; and if, like him, we are strong in our weakness, we shall be in the best of company. 

If the same things be seen in us which were wrought in the apostle of the Gentiles,  we may join with him in glorying in infirmities, because the power of Christ doth rest upon us, and we may count ourselves happy that with such a saint we can cry, 

"When I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10.

....family

EVERY moment in life, we are faced with a choice. Which should command our preference -- the demands of our job or the duties to our family? IF there is a board meeting today at the same hours that our son graduates from school, where should we go -- to the boardroom or to the graduation ceremony? IF we have to make a very important presentation tomorrow, so as to advance our career, but our wife says she has to see the doctor on a suspicion of cancer, which appointment should we keep? 

THESE are the daily battles of conscience we have to wage, trying to keep a balance between our responsibility to earn a living and our opportunity to live a life. And our choices invariably reveal who we really are.

OUR preferences indicate our true character. Our priorities are the best indicators of our real identity. What profits success? I know that many of you out there would go for career on the pretension that after all, you are doing all these for the family.

MANY of us, would rather become outstanding employees, model personnel instead of being doting fathers or loving husbands.

MANY of you would opt to perform exceedingly well in the office even if you work 12 to 16 hours a day, going home only to change clothes or catch a few hours of sleep.

BUT what for? At the end of the day, what have you accomplished? What profits a highly successful professional or wealthy businessman  if ultimately, he loses his family, wrecks his marriage or dishonors the name he will leave to his children?

WHAT has a rich man accomplished if he has built a fortune and founded conglomerates of highly profitable companies and yet drives his own wife to vices or infidelity, his children to drugs and delinquency and himself to spiritual decay and total burnout?

WHAT matters most? Look around you. The evidence is overwhelming and irreversible. Families are shattered. Marriages are broken. Lives are reduced to utter emptiness.

EVEN as man advances in wealth and success, he deteriorates on the basic standards of joy, peace and serenity. As we all compete and struggle for power and possessions, we often neglect what really matters most. In our insatiable mania for supremacy over the rest, we often forget the most important things in life.

I WILL respect your choice. But as for me, my priorities are clear. Between career and family, I will always go for family. I can forego that board meeting and earn the ire of my boss or make a bad impression on my peers. But I shall not inflict a lifetime trauma on my son by sending him alone to graduate without his dad. I can forget that business presentation and lose a valued client or waste a career promotion, but I cannot leave my wife alone in her moments of anxiety.

MEANINGLESS

WHY should a well-known public figure commit suicide given all his fame and fortune? 

Can his wealth and wisdom compensate for ruptures in his relationships?

WHY should a wife of a famous politician commit adultery...?  Is it lust or vain fixation for the pleasures of the flesh? Or is it the pain of being neglected and ignored by the husband she used to adore?

WHY should a son cut his wrist or a daughter drink poison despite all the luxuries and pleasures they are showered with? Can money replace love?  Can pleasure take the place of affections?

THE ULTIMATE HELL

TO succeed in career and fail in the family is, to me, the ultimate hell. John Grisham, that famous author of legal fictions wrote "The Testament," which tells of a highly successful industrialist who made billions of dollars but lost his family. In the first 10 pages of the novel, he jumped to his death from his multi-story building in front of his self-centered children. By his will, he disinherited all of them and bequeathed his entire estate to an illegitimate daughter who refused to accept it.

THAT is the ultimate irony; those who lusted for money lost it. Those who were given all the money refused it. In all his dozen masterpieces, Grisham tells us about the importance of family.  "A Time to Kill" tells of a father who went to jail for killing his daughter's rapists.

INDEED, we...should learn from the mistakes of others. We should straighten our lives and put our priorities in order.

I DON'T know about you. But as for me and my house, our credo is: There is no success in a career that can make up for a failure in the family.

BUT if forced to make a choice between career and family, I'll gladly choose the latter. This is my philosophy, my article of faith. I pray and work hard to live up to it. 

....life

"The positive side of life" 

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 enjoy the scenery on a detour. 

Have an awesome day, and >know that someone who thinks you're great has thought about you today!.. 

"And that person was me.".....

hummingbird

There are over 300 kinds of hummingbirds in the world, which come in every color of the rainbow. The smallest is the bee hummingbird from Cuba—the smallest bird in the world. It is only two inches long and weighs less than a dime at .07 ounces. The largest is the giant hummingbird that can reach a whopping eight inches in length.

Even though hummingbirds are small in size, they have enormous appetites. Hummingbirds feed often and must consume more than their body weight in food each day. (I would have to eat more than 160 pounds of food a day to do that!) In order to obtain enough nectar, they feed every 10 or 15 minutes from dawn until dusk. Hummingbirds consume between four and seven calories a day. That may not seem like much, but if humans (who normally eat 3,500 calories a day) had the metabolism of a hummingbird, they would have to consume approximately 155,000 calories a day! The hummingbird’s copious need for calories is because of their extremely high heart rate and metabolism. 

Hummingbirds are not very social animals, which is why you never see them flying in flocks. In fact, males and females live apart until breeding season. After mating, the female is on her own to build the nest and raise her young. The females usually lay one or two very tiny eggs about the size of a pinto bean. When they hatch out, these tiny babies are very vulnerable to predators, including large insects! 

When it comes to flying, nobody does it better than a hummingbird. Like a helicopter, it can go up, down, sideways, backwards, and even upside down! This is because most of its wing is made of hand bones instead of arm bones like other birds. The ruby-throated hummingbird, for example, is reported to have a wing rate of 70 beats per second, or 4,200 per minute. Hummingbirds are such good fliers that most of them never walk more than two inches, and they can terrorize birds 10 times their own size with their acrobatic skill. Hummingbirds are also amazing hunters of insects, frequently plucking mosquitoes, gnats, and fruit flies right out of the air while hovering. 

Did you know that the Bible teaches that angels do not travel at the speed of sound or even at the speed of light but rather at the speed of thought? The angel Gabriel came to Daniel from heaven while he was still praying! 

"Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation." Daniel 9:21

-doug batchelor

....battle

In the recent past my Dad Pastor U G Mwasumbi sent me the following reminder: "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." We truly need to be a blessing to everyone we meet as none of us wealthy enough to have everything nor too poor to fail in giving anything. David Langerfeld shared with us the following illustration for our meditation:

Just up the road is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.

If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.  As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.  Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see.

Good friends are like this. You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."  Galatians 6:2

" Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."   1 Peter 4:10  

....feet

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"  Matthew 9:36-38

Jesus saw that the people were helpless. . . His heart went out to them. . . and as a result, He took action! Hundreds of thousands of people needed to know the Savior, so He sent His followers to go out to the people and share about the Kingdom of God. Jesus' disciples were "His feet" going out to share the Good News, "His hands" ministering and healing the people, and "His mouth" telling others about Him. They may have been few in number, but they had a radical impact on the world!

Today, we are called to be "Jesus' feet" going out into the world to share the Good News that God loves men, women, and children. . . and He wants to have a relationship with them. We are called to be "Jesus hands" ministering, serving and spiritually healing those who are hurting. And we are called to be "Jesus' mouth", having a ready answer on the tip of our tongue as to why we have hope for the future.

Who around you needs a relationship with God? Are you being God's feet and going to them? Are you being His hands and reaching out, listening, empathizing with them, and developing a relationship? And are you being Jesus' mouth, sharing the most important message of all time. . . that Jesus Christ died to pay the price for the sins of all men and women?

We may be few in number, but we can have a radical impact now and in eternity!

marji kruger

...weight

There's a story about a grandfather clock that had been a permanent fixture in one household for three generations. A new member of the family felt sorry for the old clock, however, because of the heavy weight that was suspended from it by a golden chain

"No clock should have to bear a load like that," thought the kind-hearted family member to himself as he removed the weight.

Immediately the ticking that had quietly sounded through the house for three generations ceased.

"Please put my weight back on," said the clock to the family member. "I know you meant to help ease the burden, but it is the weight that keeps me going."

The fact is, that if we didn't have responsibilities and a load to carry, chances are that most of us would be bored with life and never achieve anything that is worthwhile.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

-david langerfeld

....philosophy

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.

  1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

  2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

  3. Name the last five winners of Miss America.

  4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

  5. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

  1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

  2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

  3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

  4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

  5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: 

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.   The people who make a difference in your life are the ones who encourage you in your Christian walk, who encourage you with spiritual strength in times of trouble and the ones who help you see your value to the Kingdom of God.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

-david langerfeld

.......deck

In the days of the sailing vessels, a captain from Liverpool commanded a ship sailing to New York. On one voyage, his family went with him. During the night, when everyone was asleep, a storm arose and struck the vessel, throwing her from side to side. Everything inside the ship tumbled and crashed. The passengers awoke in great fear and in imminent peril. Everyone on board was alarmed. Many of the passengers sprang from their berths and began to dress so that they might be ready for the worst.

The captain's eight-year-old daughter was on board, and awoke with the other passengers. “What is the matter?” the frightened child pleaded.

They told her that a storm had struck the ship.

“Is my father on deck?” she asked.

“Yes, your father is on deck.”

The little girl dropped back on her pillow and, without a fear in the world, in just a few moments was again sleeping soundly in spite of the wind and the waves - because her father was on deck.

Never forget that our Father is on deck. Whatever the storm of life or the storms of this world may bring, God is in charge. 

Our Father is on deck. 

-david langerfeld