Happiness

When Bill Borden, son of the wealthy Bordens, went out to China as a missionary, many of his friends thought he was foolish to "waste his life," as they put it, "trying to convert a few heathens to Christianity".  But Bill loved Christ and he loved teh Chinese people!

He hadn't been there very long before he contracted a disease native to that area and died. At his bedside they found a note that he written while he was dying. It simply read: 

"No reserve, no retreat, and no regrets."

Bill had found more happiness in his few years of sacrificial service than most people find in a lifetime.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philip. 4:12-13

-billy graham

attorney

After living a "decent" life, my time on earth came to an end. The first thing I remember is sitting on bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a cours opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked I saw the "prosecutor." He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my lawyer, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed familiar to me.The corner door flew open and there appeared the judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as he moved across the room. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. As he took his seat behind the bench, he said, "Let us begin."

The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell." He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated others.

Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own lawyer, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at my representative who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I've done?

Satan finished with a fury and said, "This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise."

When it was his turn, my lawyer first asked if he might approach the bench. The judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned him to come forward.

As he got up and started walking, I was able to see him in his full splendor and majesty. I realized why he seemed so familiar. This was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior. He stopped at the bench and softly said to the judge, "Hi Dad," and then he turned to address the court.

"Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And yes the wages of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished."

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to his Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted me as his Savior, so he is mine."

My Lord continued with, "His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch him from me. Satan still does not understand yet. This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy."

As Jesus sat down, he quietly paused, looked at his Father and replied, "There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all on the cross."

The judge lifted his mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from his lips...

"This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in full. Case dismissed.

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up, I'll win the next one."

I asked Jesus as he gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?" Christ lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that has come to me and asked me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, Paid in Full."

Prayer

We know prayer is good for us, a healthy habit we want to include in our lifestyle. only remember what Ellen G white says in Steps to Christ Chapter 11:....Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.

How can you deepen your prayer life, make it more vital and energized? These five tips can help:

1. Move beyond just asking.

Of course, we should ask the Lord for what we need. He encourages, “Ask and it will be given you” Matthew 7:7. But suppose you had a friend who never spoke to you unless he was asking you for something. Wouldn’t that be a strange friendship? 

Incorporate praise into your prayers; read the Psalms aloud; thank God for his wisdom and guidance. And don’t forget that prayer time is also for confession…and forgiveness.

2. Learn to listen.

When Jesus visited Mary and Martha, Mary did Jesus the honor of simply sitting and listening to his matchless words. And he said Mary had “chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” Luke 10:38-42. 

Remember: “Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10, invite God to speak to you.

3. Let God love you.

Spend part of your prayer time thinking only of how good and gracious the Lord is. “One thing have I desired of the Lord,” said David, “… that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord” Psalm 27:4. “God is love” 1 John 4:8. Even if you feel unlovable, know that your Heavenly Father loves you a great deal. Ask him to show you the many ways he has loved you in the past; trust him to continue loving you.

4. Practice positive affirmation.

Bring your problems to God and leave them there.  Don’t keep mentally going over them. Instead, believe that he will provide the right solution. Picture a good outcome. Pray with David, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1. Believe that good things are headed your way, and they will be. Your optimism and prayer will draw them to you.

5. Pray without ceasing.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul exhorts us to pray continually. While it is good to have a regular time and place for prayer, we can pray anywhere, at any time. 

Realize that God is always with you. 

The more you pray, the more you will want to pray. Live in the spirit of thankfulness, faith, affirmation and praise, and you may discover that your whole life is one continuous, joyous prayer.

Prayer is more than a habit; prayer is purpose and power. 

Begin this very day to make it so in your life! 

-mary l carney

second

On New Year's Day, 1929, Georgia Tech played the University of California in the Rose Bowl. In that game, a man named Roy Riegels recovered a fumble for California.  Somehow, he became confused and started running 65 yards in the wrong direction.  One of his own teammates, Benny Lom, outdistanced him and downed him just before he scored for the opposing team. When California attempted to punt, Tech blocked the kick and scored a safety which was the ultimate margin of victory.

That strange play came in the first half, and everyone who was watching the game was asking the same question: "What will Coach Nibbs Price do with Roy Riegels in the second half?"  The men filed off the field and went into the dressing room.  They sat down on the benches and on the floor, all but Riegels.  He put his blanket around his shoulders, sat down in a corner, put his face in his hands, and cried like a baby.

If you have played football, you know that a coach usually has a great deal to say to his team during half time.  That day Coach Price was quiet.  No doubt he was trying to decide what to do with Riegels.  Then the timekeeper came in and announced that there were three minutes before playing time.

Coach Price looked at the team and said simply, "Men the same team that played the first half will start the second."  The players got up and started out, all but Riegels.  He didn't budge. The coach looked back and called to him again; still he didn't move.

Coach Price went over to where Riegels sat and said, "Roy, didn't you hear me?  The same team that played the first half will start the second."  Then Roy Riegels looked up and his cheeks were wet with a strong man's tears.  "Coach," he said, "I can't do it to save my life.  I've ruined you, I've ruined the University of California, I've ruined myself.  I couldn't face that crowd in the stadium to save my life."

Then Coach Price reached out and put his hand on Riegel's shoulder and said to him: "Roy, get up and go on back; the game is only half over."  And Roy Riegels went back, and those Tech men will tell you that they have never seen a man play football as Roy Riegels played that second half.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the gospel of a second chance.  

Jesus offers us the chance to start anew - clean and fresh. 

No matter how badly we've blown it, no matter how many times we've failed, we can start over.  

Today is the day for a fresh start. 

Get back in the game. 

The second half has just started!!!

-dave langerfeld

Life

I did not know His love before, the way I know it now.
I could not see my need for Him, my pride would not allow.
I had it all, without a care, the "Self-sufficient" lie.
My path was smooth, my sea was still, not a cloud was in my sky.

I thought I knew His love for me,
I thought I'd seen His grace,
I thought I did not need to grow,
I thought I'd found my place.
But then the way grew rough and dark, the storm clouds quickly rolled;
The waves began to rock my ship, my anchor would not hold.

The ship that I had built myself was made of foolish pride.
It fell apart and left me bare, with nowhere else to hide.
I had no strength or faith to face the trials that lay ahead,
And so I simply prayed to Him and bowed my weary head.

His loving arms enveloped me, and then He helped me stand.
He said, "You still must face this storm, but I will hold your hand."
So through the dark and lonely night He guided me through pain.
I could not see the light of day or when the storm might wane.

Yet through the aches and endless tears, my faith began to grow.
I could not see it at the time, but my light began to glow.
I saw God's love in brand new light, His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone could Jesus' love shine through.

It was not easy in the storm,
I sometimes wondered, "Why?"
At times I thought, "I can't go on."
I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry.
But Jesus never left my side, He guided me each day.
Through pain and strife, through fire and flood, He helped me all the way.

And now I see as never before how great His love can be.
How in my weakness He is strong, how Jesus cares for me!
He worked it all out for my good, although the way was rough.
He only sent what I could bear, and then He cried, "Enough!"

He raised His hand and said, "Be still!"
He made the storm clouds cease.
He opened up the gates of joy and flooded me with peace.
I saw His face now clearer still, I felt His presence strong,
I found anew His faithfulness, He never did me wrong.

Now I know more storms will come, but only for my good,
For pain and tears have helped me grow as naught else ever could.
I still have so much more to learn as Jesus works in me;
If in the storm I'll love Him more, that's where I want to be!

...high

Hope The Good Lord has kept you strong and you are sound to face the challenges He brings our way in the course of this week, is that not a good reason to hold your head high?

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

...is Courage. 

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

...is Strength. 

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

...is Determination. 

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

...is Compassion. 

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

...is Loyalty. 

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

...is Confidence. 

By the Grace of God, hold your head high and make your life better every day! 

...angel

I hope you are strong in The Lord, I received the following story from a close friend, in 2002, (October 24th).  Pastor John D Kakembo was copied on email as he was one of my contacts then, he was so touched with the story and reminded me of the impact in his life when we met in the late part of September 2003, its being prayerfully shared for your admonition and encouragement in your journey of faith.

One afternoon, a couple was traveling on the road when all of a sudden at a far distance they saw a woman in the middle of the road asking them to stop. The wife told her husband to keep on driving because it might be too dangerous, but the husband decided to pass by slowly so he wouldn't stay with the doubt on his mind of what might have happened and the chances of anyone being hurt. 

As they got closer, they noticed a woman with cuts and bruises on her face as well as on her arms. They then decide to stop and see if they could be of any help. The cut and bruised woman was begging for help telling them that she had been in a car accident and that her husband and son, a new born baby, were still inside the car which was in a deep ditch. She told them that the husband was already dead but that her baby seemed to still be alive. 

The husband that was traveling decided to get down and try to rescue the baby and he asked the hurt woman to stay with his wife inside their car. When he got down he noticed two people in the front seats of the car, but he didn't pay any importance to it and took out the baby quickly and got up to take the baby to it's mother. 

When he got up, he didn't see the mother anywhere so he asked his wife where she had gone. She told him that the woman followed him back to the crashed car. The man decided to go look for the woman, he noticed that clearly the two people in the front seats were dead; a woman and a man with both their seatbelts on. When he looked closer, he noticed that it was the exact same woman that was begging them for help in the beginning. 

Do you think that it was a miracle of God? The Baby now lives with family members and he will live to tell the story. If you believe in the Almighty and that miracles like these can truly happen, share this story with your friends. 

If you don't share it, nothing will happen, only that the some peoplewon't be able to know of the greatness of the Lord.

...year

"...the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, 

from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year."  Deuteronomy 11.12

I will help you to say goodbye to the previous year filled with "yesterdays" and comprised of 
Disappointments and surprises 
Losses and gains
Failures and Successes
Defeats and victories 
A year which may be remembered by recalling... 
Fleeting moments
Delightful memories and good times
The sobering reality of missed opportunity 
The insight gained from daily living
The unexpected surprise of reconnecting with old friends.
The joy of sins forgiven
Golden words fitly spoken Proverbs 25:11 
And the fruit of obedience and pleasing the Lord 

Yes, the old year is a time in which we can recall with gratitude...
Blessings, protection, and rewards from the Providential hand of God 
Grace that was sufficient for our every need
Mercy received when justice would have just as easily been fitting for us. 
And realizing that even bad things that happened could have been worse...much worse.

May your past productively transition to the future as you experience...
The warm daylight of lessons hard learned, 
and the fading sunset of the pain that was long endured while living through them.
The priceless value found in genuine friends, 
and the sober understanding of the shackles of superficial people who merely use us.  

The glorious journey of...
The unmatched wealth in reading and studying the Bible
The unparalleled stability of Christian fellowship 
And the unrivaled enjoyment of serving the Lord.
And as you experience the wise departure from... 
The comfortable enticement of procrastination
The deceptive decoy of excuses 
The childish pleasure of pettiness 
And the dull applause of mediocrity.

I AM THE NEW YEAR.  
I am...
The challenge of new goals
The desire for spiritual growth 
The continual burden for lost souls 
The anticipation of answered prayer 
And the eager expectation of Christ's soon return for His Bride, the Church.

I am the New Year, I may only be lived one moment at at time. 
I am replete with the unknown and rife with...
Opportunities to trust
Unexpected moments of blessing and delight 
Satisfaction for spiritual truth and hunger
Motivations to give of your time and effort to people and projects
And the joy and privilege of serving the Lord in new and exciting ways.  
YES, I AM THE NEW YEAR!

-barry black

...final

"God ... comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."2 Corinthians 1:4

In his book, Beginning Again, Terry Hershey writes, "God not only says that failure is never the final word, but that your area of weakness will become your area of strength. Where you were weak and learned grace will become a means whereby you can reach out and touch the lives of others who need the same good news.

"God is not only working to heal you, but to heal others through you, to make you what Henri Nouwen called a 'wounded healer.' 

"Such healing doesn't happen through the man or woman who has all the answers. It happens through the man or woman who understands pain and grace. Nouwen explains, 'For a deep understanding of his own pain makes it possible for the [wounded healer] to convert his weaknesses into strength and to offer his experience as a source of healing to those who are often lost in the darkness of their own misunderstood suffering.'" 

I believe it was Ernest Hemingway who first used the phrase, "Growing strong in the broken places." The idea being that where a bone is broken and heals, it becomes the strongest part of the bone. 

The same is true of our broken places—where we have been hurt, have fallen, or failed. When we bring these to Christ for his healing, his strength is then made perfect in and through our weaknesses. This is certainly true in ministering effectively to other people. They are helped, not through our brilliant logic, nor persuasive speech, but through the sharing of our struggles, and how, with God's help, we have overcome. It is a case of one beggar showing other beggars where to find bread. 

This is why the Apostle Paul could say, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."Romans 8:28 

-dick innes

....key

The key to victory in the New Year  is Philippians 3:13-14. Paul was using the illustration of a race to describe his life. He was in the home stretch, but he was still running the race; the race wasn't over. He said, "I have not apprehended it yet." - NOT YET!

Right behind this conjunction is one of Paul's secrets to living: THIS ONE THING I DO!  It's the only time this particular phrase is used in the New Testament. Single-minded concentration on the things of God is essential to running the race of Christianity.  You cannot be dwelling on other things as an athlete and give your best performance. Therefore, Paul says "this one thing I do."

What is "This One Thing I Do"?

"Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." That's the key for victory in the Christian life

.

What do we need to forget?

Paul had learned that we have to lock the door on yesterday and throw away the key. Paul discovered that looking back almost always ends up in going back. Let me repeat that... Looking back almost always ends up in going back. In the Old Testament we find the wandering Israelites ready to return to their old ways rather than pressing on. In the New Testament Jesus clearly taught us in Luke 9:62 that "no man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for God's Kingdom."

4 THINGS WE NEED TO FORGET:

1. YESTERDAY'S MISTAKES

In his book "ENCOURAGE ME", Chuck Swindoll has a chapter entitled, "The Fine Art of Blowing It". It begins like this, "It happens to every one of us. Teachers as well as students. cops as well as criminals. Bosses as well as secretaries. Parents as well as kids. The diligent as well as the lazy. Not even presidents are immune. Or corporation heads who earn six-figure salaries. The same is true of well-meaning architects and hard-working builders and clear-thinking engineers... not to mention pro ball players, politicians, and preachers. What? making mistakes, that's what. Doing the wrong thing, usually with the best of motives. And it happens with remarkable regularity."

Everyone makes mistakes. Everybody does stupid, foolish things. God's Word says: "forget it" - leave them behind you. There are 3 things we should do about yesterday's mistakes:

   1. Learn from them

   2. Determine with God's help not to do them again

   3. Forget them.

Satan will want to remind you and make you feel guilty for your past mistakes – but God says: "Forget Them. I HAVE"!

2. YESTERDAY'S HURTS

Life is a battlefield. You're a soldier in God's Army. On any battleground, injuries will occur and soldiers are going to get hurt. Sooner or later, someone is going to

   ... hurt you.

   ... lie about you

   ... verbally or physically harm you

   ... misrepresent you

   ... chop you up in little pieces

   ... slander you

It's going to happen--what do you do?

You have two choices:

   1. Allow the resentment and hate to build

   2. Forgive and Forget

          A. Forgive as Christ forgave you

          B. Forget those things that are behind you  (Phil. 3:13)

You might say, but David -

   ... You don't Understand

   ... You don't understand what's happened to me.

   ... You don't know how bad I've been hurt.

   ... I was innocent.  I didn't do anything wrong, but they hurt me.  They lied about me.

   ... They hurt my feelings and they didn't care.  They criticized me when I didn't do anything wrong.

   ... They talked about me behind my back.

   ... They cheated me, they rejected me, they hurt me really bad.

God understands. Jesus was innocent, but they beat him, they tortured him, they mocked him, they crucified him. He didn't deserve it, but they did it anyway. On the cross, He forgave them. On the cross, He provided salvation for even those who beat him, who mocked him, who crucified him. In order to press on in the Christian life, we have to lock the door on yesterday's hurts.

3. YESTERDAY'S POSSIBILITIES

How often do I see people unable to operate in today because they are still living a "what if" life of yesterday. They keep talking about "what could have been"--"if I had only..."

Quite often they blame someone else

   ... if only my spouse hadn't...

   ... if only my parents (children) hadn't...

   ... if only my business partner had...

 They even blame God - "if God would have… or if God wouldn't have…"

We can't live on yesterday's promises or yesterday's dreams. Too many people are dissatisfied with life because they've had an expectation that just hasn't worked out. Paul is saying - forget your past hurts, forget your past mistakes and forget living with what might have been and finally...

4. YESTERDAY'S SINS

Billy Graham once said that 60% of all the patients in mental hospitals could go home if they would accept the fact that they are not guilty or that they have been forgiven.

Many people are carrying a burden of guilt:

   ... A past mistake

   ... A moral failure

   ... A painful cut to a friend

   ... A physical hurt to someone

   ... A stupid, hateful remark

   ... A poor decision

   ... A sin so horrible that they believe either God will not forgive them or they will not forgive themselves

There is no sin, no matter how great or small, once it has been confessed and forgiven, that the memory of it should torment us no more."

Let me restate that: "When sin, no matter how great or how grievous, has been confessed and forgiven, the memory of it should not torment us any more!"

Notice, Paul didn't say, "I've forgotten those things which are behind. Paul said, forgetting those things. Paul had learned the secret. There are some things in our memory that we will never forget.  We have to keep practicing forgetting...

Guilt will eat us alive. Every time the memory comes back, every time a song or a word or a smell or a picture or a person reminds us, we continue to practice forgetting. How long do we practice forgetting?

   ... until the memory doesn't hurt any more.

   ... until we allow God to forgive us

   ... until we allow God to forgive through us

   ... until the pain is no longer there

   ... until we can use our past to help us grow in the present

   ... until we can use our past to help others in the present

God says in Jeremiah 31:34 "I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more."

Psalm 103:12 "I will remove their sin as far as the east is from the west."

I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

It's time to:

     Lock the Door on the Past!

     Throw Away the Key!

     Forget Where You Have Thrown It!

-dave langerfeld

....baptism

Some people view the rite of baptism as some magical ceremony that, in and of itself, assures a person of salvation. But that line of thinking makes about as much sense as a man walking up to a random woman on the street and forcing her to put a ring on her finger and then declaring they are married. There’s much more to baptism than being immersed under water. It symbolizes conversion.

 

Jesus said that we must be born of water and the Spirit. For that reason, no one should be baptized unless he or she 

1. knows the truth of God, 
2. believes it, 
3. has repented, 
4. has experienced conversion. 

No baby could possibly qualify here. No one has a right to baptize a baby. In fact, to do so completely disregards God’s direct commands regarding baptism

Misguided men in the church, years ago, decreed that unbaptized babies are lost, but this is scripturally untrue. It defames God as an unjust tyrant who would destroy innocent infants who died, simply because unworthy parents failed to have baptism administered. Such a teaching is tragic beyond words. It is bad enough to sprinkle babies and call it baptism. It is infinitely worse to hold to the unscriptural concept that babies are lost eternally because careless parents failed to do their duty.

Even though infants and small children do not qualify for baptism, it does not exclude them from God’s kingdom. Remember Jesus’ words: “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 19:14. 

Christ responded positively to mothers who brought their children to Him to be blessed. Now, the practice of child dedication is biblical and in harmony with Jesus’ actions. It affirms the parents’ desire to lead their children to a point where they will, of their own accord, accept Christ and one day be baptized. 

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

-doug batchelor

....anyway

This has been engraved on a wall of Mother Theresa's home for children in Calcutta.

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centred; Forgive them anyway. 

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. 

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.

-anjezë gonxhe bojaxhiu

...bent

I have had experiences in my Christian Journey that have left me wondering whether God really answers when I call on Him. The following article opened my eyes sometimes back, I count it a privilege to share it with you today,

The young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn to. 

So he went to see the old preacher. 

Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. 

Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me. Tell me, Preacher, why doesn't God answer?"

The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply - something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked.

The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair.

"Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you."

With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. 

"God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear Him."

This time the young man heard and he understood.

-author unknown

...thinking

Our Thinking vs God's Promises

"It's impossible."
All things are possible (Luke 18:27).
"I'm too tired."
I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30).
"Nobody really loves me."
I love you (John 3:16).
"I can't go on."
My grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:19).
"I can't figure things out."
I will direct your steps (Proverbs 20:24).
"I can't do it."
You can do all things (Philippians 4:13).
"I'm not able."
I am able (2 Corinthians 9:8).
"It's not worth it."
It will be worth it (Romans 8:28).
"I can't forgive myself."
I forgive you (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:1).
"I can't manage."
I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19).
"I'm afraid."
I have not given you a spirit of fear (2Timothy 1:7).
"I'm always worried and frustrated."
Cast all your cares on Me (1Peter 5:7).
"I don't have enough faith."
I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:8).
"I'm not smart enough."
I give you wisdom (1Corinthians 1:30).
"I feel all alone."
I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) 

-nampombe mnkeni

? who

Who Is Jesus To You?

To the architect He is the chief cornerstone.
To the artist He is the one altogether lovely
To the astronomer He is the bright and morning star.
To the baker He is the bread of life.
To the banker He is the redeemer
To the biologist He is the life to the builder He is the sure foundation.
To the carpenter He is the door.
To the educator He is the great teacher
To the farmer He is the Lord of harvest.
To the florist He is the lily of the valley
To the geologist He is the Rock of ages.
To the lawyer He is the Lawgiver
To the newspaperman He is the glad tiding of great joy
To the orphan He is the everlasting father.
To the pharmacist He is the only guaranteed prescription
To the philanthropist He is the unspeakable gift.
To the philosopher He is the wisdom of God.
To the preacher He is the word of God.
To the rancher He is the Good Shepherd 
To the servant He is the good master.
To the sick He is the only cure.
To the student He is the incarnate truth
To the tourist He is the map to heaven.
To the traveler He is the way.
To the weary He is the giver of rest,
but Jesus is more than what is in these descriptions.
To Simon peter he was "the Christ, the son of the Living God."
To the sinner He is "Saviour, Counsellor, and Mediator."
To his disciples today He is the "King of Kings, and Lord of Lords."
To the church member He is the rock on which the church is founded! 
-nampombe mnkeni

Lessons

I've learned that you cannot make someone love you.

All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.

I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back.

I've learned that it takes years to build up trust and only seconds to destroy it.

I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.

I've learned that you can get by on charm for about 15 minutes. 

After that, you'd better know something.

I've learned that it's a lot easier to react than it is to think

I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. 

It may be the last time you see them.

I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I've learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I've learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. 

Same goes for true love.

I've learned that just because someone doesn't love

you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I've learned that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. 

Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed it.

I've learned that your family won't always be there for you. 

It may seem strange, but people you aren't related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families aren't biological. I've learned that no matter how good a friend someone is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while, and you must forgive them for that. I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself. I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I've learned that sometimes when my friends fight, I'm forced to choose sides even when I don't want to.

I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn’t mean they do.

I've learned that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions.

I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I've learned that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt, and you will hurt in the process.

I've learned that no matter how many friends you have, if you are their pillar, you will feel lonely and lost at the times you need them most.

I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I've learned that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains.

I've learned that the paradigm we live in is not all that is offered to us.

I've learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I've learned that although the word "love" can have many different meanings, it loses value when overly used.

I've learned that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people'sfeelings and standing up for what you believe.

...saves

Jesus and Satan were having an ongoing argument about who was better on the computer. They had been going at it for days, and frankly God was tired of hearing all the bickering. Finally fed up, God said,” THAT’S IT! I have had enough. I am going to give you a test that will run for two hours, and from the results, I will judge who does the better job." 

So Satan and Jesus sat down at the keyboards and typed away. They moused. They faxed. They e-mailed. They e-mailed with attachments. They downloaded. They did spreadsheets. They wrote reports. They created labels and cards. They created charts and graphs. They did some genealogy reports. They did every job known to man. 

Jesus worked with heavenly efficiency and Satan was faster than hell. 

Then, ten minutes before their time was up, lightning suddenly flashed across the sky, thunder rolled, rain poured, and, of course, the power went off. 

Satan stared at his blank screen and screamed every curse word known in the underworld. Jesus just sighed. 

Finally the electricity came back on, and each of them restarted their computers. 

Satan started searching frantically, screaming: 

It's gone! It's all GONE!!" I lost everything when the power went out!" 

Meanwhile, Jesus quietly started printing out all of his files from the past two hours of work. Satan observed this and became irate. Wait!" he screamed. "That's not fair! He cheated! How come he has all his work and I don't have any?" 

God just shrugged and said, 

"Jesus saves ...”

-georgia bakuname

...resurrection

The varying details in the resurrection accounts are complementary, not contradictory. Each writer actually focuses on a different aspect of the event. For instance, John writes about his experience with Peter. Mark looks at Mary, and Matthew seems to focus more on the women who came to the tomb. Of course, all these individuals came to the tomb but at different times. 

In my study, I believe that the first one to the tomb was Mary Magdalene. After she discovered Jesus wasn’t there, she ran to tell the other women. Then together they returned to the tomb, at which time an angel appeared to them. 

They then left to tell others. Mary went to tell Peter and John, who immediately came to the tomb. This is when John “outran” Peter and Mary. Peter went in first, and then John went in. They saw the garments, then they left to go tell their fellow disciples. Mary eventually caught up with them and, after the two men left, she remained behind. This is when Christ appeared to her. 

What about the number of angels? Depending on their vantage point, the first visitors might have seen only one angel. But when they entered the tomb, apparently another angel spoke to them. While we don’t have all the details outlined, it’s reasonable to believe there were two different angels. 

Ultimately, these apparent differences confirm the truthfulness of the event, rather than refute it. If all four Gospels gave exactly the same story and details, we would be suspicious it was all copied and contrived. The different perspectives tell us these were the sincere observations of those who experienced that remarkable day. A careful reading of all the accounts reveals a flow of events that confirmed that Christ indeed rose from the dead! 

"The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre." John 20:1

John 1:14

There was once a man who didn't believe in the incarnation of Christ or the spiritual meaning of Christmas, and was skeptical about God.

He and his family lived in a farm community. His wife was a devout believer and diligently raised her children in her faith. He sometimes gave her a hard time about her faith and mocked her observance of Christmas. "It's all nonsense - why would God lower himself and become a human like us?! It's such a  ridiculous story!" he said.

One snowy day, she and the children left for church while he stayed home.  After they had left, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blinding snowstorm.  He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening.

Then he heard a loud thump, something hitting against the window. And another thump. He looked outside but couldn't see.  So he ventured outside to see. In the field near his house he saw, of all the strangest things, a flock of geese! They were apparently flying to look for a warmer area down south, but had been caught in the snow storm.

The storm had become too blinding and violent for the geese to fly or see their way. They were stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter, unable to do more than flutter their wings and fly in aimless circles.

He had compassion for them and wanted to help them. He thought to himself, "The barn would be a great place for them to stay! It's warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm."

So he opened the barn doors for them. He waited, watching them, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But they didn't notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them.  He moved closer toward them to get their attention, but they just moved away from him out of fear. He went into the house and came back out with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread trail to the barn.  They still didn't catch on. 

Starting to get frustrated, he went over and tried to shoo them toward the barn. They panicked and scattered into every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where there was warmth, safety and shelter.

Feeling totally frustrated, he exclaimed, "Why don't they follow me?  Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?  How can I possibly get them into the one place to save them?"   He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human. He said to himself, "How can I possibly save them? The only way would be for me to become like those geese. If only I could become like one of them!  Then I could save them!  I could speak to them in their own language and they could understand me.  They would follow me and I would lead them to safety."

At that moment, he stopped and considered what he had said. The words reverberated in his mind: "If only I could become like one of them - then I could save them."  And then, at last, he understood God's heart towards mankind, and he fell on his knees in the snow and worshipped Him.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  We beheld His Glory, the Glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of Grace and Truth!" John 1:14

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

-dave langerfeld

...brighter

 Herman and I locked our general store and dragged ourselves home. It was 11:00 p.m., Christmas Eve of 1949. We were dog tired. We had sold almost all of our toys; and all of the layaways, except one package, had been picked up. Usually we kept the store open until everything had been claimed. We wouldn't have been happy on Christmas knowing that some child's gift was still on the layaway shelf. But the person who had put a dollar down on the package never returned.

Early Christmas morning we and our twelve-year-old son, Tom, opened gifts. But I'll tell you, there was something humdrum about this Christmas. Tom was growing up; I missed his childish exuberance of past years. As soon as breakfast was over Tom left to visit his friend next door. Herman mumbled, "I'm going back to sleep. There's nothing left to stay up for." So there I was alone, feeling let down.

And then it began. A strange, persistent urge. It seemed to be telling me to go to the store. I looked at the sleet and icy sidewalk outside. That's crazy, I said to myself. I tried dismissing the urge, but it wouldn't leave me alone. In fact, it was getting stronger. Finally, I couldn't stand it any longer, and I got dressed. Outside, the wind cut right through me and the sleet stung my cheeks. I groped my way to the store, slipping and sliding.

In front stood two boys, one about nine, and the other six. What in the world? "See, I told you she would come!" the older boy said jubilantly. The younger one's face was wet with tears, but when he saw me, his sobbing stopped. "What are you two doing out here?" I scolded, hurrying them into the store. "You should be at home on a day like this!" They were poorly dressed. They had no hats or gloves, and their shoes barely held together. I rubbed their icy hands, and got them up close to the heater.

"We've been waiting for you," replied the older boy. "My little brother Jimmy didn't get any Christmas." He touched Jimmy's shoulder. "We want to buy some skates. That's what he wants. We have these three dollars," he said, pulling the bills from his pocket. I looked at the money. I looked at their expectant faces. And then I looked around the store. "I'm sorry," I said, "but we have no --"  Then my eye caught sight of the lay-away shelf with its lone package. "Wait a minute," I told the boys. I walked over, picked up the package, unwrapped it and, miracle of miracles, there was a pair of skates! Jimmy reached for them. Lord, let them be his size. And miracle added upon miracle, they were his size.

The older boy presented the dollars to me. "No," I told him, "I want you to have these skates, and I want you to use your money to get some gloves." The boys just blinked at first. Then their eyes became like saucers, and their grins stretched wide when they understood I was giving them the skates. What I saw in Jimmy's eyes was a blessing. It was pure joy, and it was beautiful. My spirits rose.

We walked out together, and as I locked the door, I turned to the older brother and said, "How did you know I would come?" I wasn't prepared for his reply. His gaze was steady, and he answered me softly.  "I asked Jesus to send you."

The tingles in my spine weren't from the cold. God had planned this. As we waved good-bye, I turned home for a brighter Christmas.

-david langerfeld