“Love Is Blind…” (w/humor)

“Love Is Blind…”
(W/humor)

How we treat other people will have a great impact on the degree of blessings and favor of God we are experiencing in our lives. Are you a good to people? Are you kind and considerate? Do you speak and act with love in your heart and regard other people as valuable and special? Friends, we can’t treat people poorly and expect to be blessed. We can’t be rude and inconsiderate and expect to live in victory. And I am not asking these questions because I want to blame anyone – but simply to jog our thinking so as to cause each of us today to take inventory, that we may be certain all is well in this area, since it so powerfully effects the outcome of our blessings and victory in life!

When you are placed in awkward situations where someone doesn’t treat you right, you have a golden opportunity to help heal a wounded heart. Keep in mind, hurting people often hurt other people as a result of their own pain. If someone is rude and inconsiderate, you can almost be certain that they have some unresolved issues inside. They have major problems – anger, resentment, or some heartache – they are trying to cope with or overcome. The last thing they need is for you or I to make matters worse by responding angrily.

Evil is never overcome by more evil. If you mistreat people who are mistreating you, you will make matters worse. When you express anger to a person who has been angry with you, it’s like adding fuel to a fire. No, we overcome evil with good. When someone hurts you, the only way you can overcome it is by showing them mercy, forgiving them, and doing what is right.

Keep taking the high road, being kind and courteous. Keep walking in love and having a good attitude. God sees what you’re doing. He sees you going the extra mile to do what’s right, and He will make sure your good actions and attitude will overcome that evil. If you’ll keep doing the right thing, you will come out far ahead of where you would have been had you fought fire with fire.

CONSIDER THIS: If someone is not treating you right today, go out of your way to be kinder than usual to that person. God sees your acts of kindness and mercy. When you are kind to people, when you go around doing good to people, God arranges for others to leave “Handfuls” of good things for you on purpose. You will find a handful of blessings over here, a handful of blessings over there, supernatural favors over here, unexpected promotion over there. Everywhere you go, you will discover the supernatural blessings of God lying in your path, left there on purpose for you by God.

Just a funny your funny-bonefor :

Fred had been a faithful Christian and was in the hospital, near death. The family called their preacher to stand with them. As the preacher stood next to the bed, Fred’s condition appeared to deteriorate and he motioned frantically for something to write on. The pastor lovingly handed him a pen and a piece of paper, and Fred used his last bit of energy to scribble a note, then he died. The preacher thought it best not to look at the note at that time, so he placed it in his jacket pocket.
At the funeral, as he was finishing the message, he realized that he was wearing the same jacket that he was wearing when Fred died. So he said, “You know, Fred handed me a note just before he died. I haven’t looked at it, but knowing Fred, I’m sure there’s a word of inspiration there for all of us.” He opened the note, and read, “You’re standing on my oxygen tube!”

“The Lesser of Two Evils is Still Evil – “It’s the Movie, “Independence Day” in real life – So, what has our Government Done to us Now – Hapoing the /Bomb/Bailout’ will work?”

“The Lesser of Two Evils is Still Evil – It’s the Movie, “Independence Day” in real life – So What has our Government Done to Us Now – Hoping the ‘Bomb/Bailout’ will work?”

I think what hurts more than anything is this so called “R E S C U E” Plan, for I don’t see or hear anyone who genuinely thinks we have been rescued from anything! Besides, I never knew anyone yet who could B O R R O W themselves out of indebtedness, so why not call foolishness – foolishness, and let’s be honest here!

This enforced slavery we have all become party to irritates me to no end, without having ANY say in all of this – and I mean without ANY SAY – for I watched our Politicians line up to give their personal disgust in feeling ‘forced’ by their constituents to vote against their better judgment. I sure Hope EVERYONE who did the ‘forcing’ loves “PORK”, for there is going to be PLENTY to go around!!!!

Here is a real life example of how STUPID “Blind Signing” is, for that is precisely what it is when someone inscribes their names to a devise that pretty much everyone agrees is nothing but a ‘bandage’ and the bandage is almost certain to slip off! It all makes about as much sense as the ‘Captain’ in this incident makes:

The Battleship was sailing on a night of pitch-black darkness. Suddenly, the captain noticed a bright light directly in front of him, and he knew that his ship was on a collision course with the light. He rushed [remember this word well folks] to the radio and sent an urgent message, demanding that the vessel change its course ten degrees east.

A few seconds later, he received a message in return: “Cannot do it. Change your course ten degrees west.”
The captain got angry. He sent another cryptic message: “I’m a Navy Captain. I demand you change your course.”
He received a message back a few seconds later: “I’m a seaman second class. Cannot do it. Change your course!”
The captain was now furious. He sent one final message: “I’m a battleship, and I’m not changing my course!”
He got a curt message in return: “I’m a lighthouse. It’s your choice, sir.”

I’m Afraid we ‘Dropped the Bomb’ out of PANIC and now we are trying to FORCE the lighthouse to change course,
And now we are going to reap the results!!!
(God help me to be proven wrong!)

“Of The People, By The People, For The People – Really?”

McCAIN/PALIN – OBAMA/BIDEN or “We THE People?”

With the end now only hours away and Campaign Rivals swapping Barbs in their ‘stumping’ breathlessly between the few ‘Swing’ States that remain before “D” Day Tuesday, the real question is – Who the race is really all about?

When the last ballot has been cast, the final count is in, the Winner has given his acceptance speech and the Looser has attempted to bow out gracefully, will anyone remember What It Was Really All About – we the people?

Whoever gathers the largest vote and heads their procession in the direction of the White House to hang the drapes and start changing the names on the office doors, will live in luxury and be protected with the most respected security force on earth. And on the other side of the Isle, the ‘looser’ will still be a ‘Senator’, is exceedingly wealthy, and will likewise return to Washington to participate in nearly all that the ‘Winner’ enjoys, and where does that leave the billions of Americans who funded the whole thing in the first place?

Campaign rhetoric aside, what is the ‘Party in Power’ going to do to care for the “People in Power” who put them there with their blood, sweat and tears, and oh yeah – multiple hundreds of millions of tax payer dollars? For even while the corks are popping in the celebratory bottles in the meeting halls, and bars and high-rises, and block parties in both up-town and down-town main stream America – the far greater numbers throughout this great country will be shaking and quaking in fear and dread on a almost inhumane scale – with the trauma over the economic distress, growing unemployment, wars on two fronts and the other seemingly endless array of out-of-control issues that confront the “Joe-the-plumbers” on each block in America!

Sure – almost everyone has become a Cynic, but I want to know which candidate will tell me the truth about where our country really is financially and how the deficit is going to be paid down, and how I am going to be able to keep my home and job and hold him accountable for the unending promises that we were given and exactly – Who Is Rich after all? And lastly and most essentially – are we the people still in charge of America! Thank God – He is Still in Control!!!

“Proper Protocol in the Political Pressure Cooker!”

“Proper Protocol in the Political Pressure Cooker!”

In this present time of so many wanting everyone to “GET” the other person, unload on them, make them look as bad as you can, search out and drag up as much dirt as you can find – or manufacture some if you can’t locate any – it is enough to make anyone sick! And worse, to see the anger in the crowd being so radically manifested if ‘enough mud-slinging’ isn’t protrayed. Where is this taking us folks? What kind of a lesson on interpersonal relationship is it teaching our next generation? What does it say about the morality of our ‘once considered’ Christian Nation?

I do think that the more important point here is: what does the Master Builder of our World think about it: He makes it crystal clear that while we can be “Angry” (as He was when He took the whip and removed the hypocrites and ‘money-changers’ in the temple), that we should be able to do so without the devisiveness and ‘nasty attitude’ that most always accompanys it, which our Lord calls SIN!

Our Lord’s simple instructions are: (1) “Let love be without hypocrisy, Abhor what is evil, Cling to what is good.” (2) “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (3) “Be of the same mind (treat equally) one another.” (4) “Do not avenge yourselves” and (5) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Are you prepared to say, “Yea, but that’s easier said than done!” to God? Would not, should not we all agree that He probably knows a huge amount more about everything than we do, and since He gave us those commands – not suggestions – that He probably knew/knows that if we would do it and STOP saying that it can’t be done, that a miracle would undoubtedly emerge? I think so! Why do I think so? Well, after (40) years in the pulpit and the counsel chamber as a Senior Pastor, I ALWAYS found that when my counsel accordingly was both accepted and lived out, it ALWAYS produced the expected results!

Lastly, Our Wonderful Lord commands us “…not to be wise in our own opinion.” Trouble is – far too often, most people (in regards to that Romans 12: 9-21 passage), commit the sin of doing precisely the OPPOSITE! Pride and Arrogance takes center stage, and I think most Americans are so fed up with it they could scream!

I KNOW…I KNOW! Even rehearsing what our Lord says in this “crazy-to-be-politically-correct” world in which we live – NEVERTHELESS, our choice must ALWAYS BE, do what God says!

“Political Correctness vs Genuine Christian Living !”

“Political Correctness vs Genuine Christian Living!”

In this present time of so many wanting everyone to “GET” the other person, unload on them, make them look as bad as you can, search out and drag up as much dirt as you can find – or manufacture some if you can’t locate any – it is enough to make anyone sick! And worse, to see the anger in the crowd being so radically manifested if ‘enough mud-slinging’ isn’t protrayed. Where is this taking us folks? What kind of a lesson on interpersonal relationship is it teaching our next generation? What does it say about the morality of our ‘once considered’ Christian Nation?

I do think that the more important point here is: what does the Master Builder of our World think about it: He makes it crystal clear that while we can be “Angry” (as He was when He took the whip and removed the hypocrites and ‘money-changers’ in the temple), that we should be able to do so without the devisiveness and ‘nasty attitude’ that most always accompanys it, which our Lord calls SIN!

Our Lord’s simple instructions are: (1) “Let love be without hypocrisy, Abhor what is evil, Cling to what is good.” (2) “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (3) “Be of the same mind (treat equally) one another.” (4) “Do not avenge yourselves” and (5) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Are you prepared to say, “Yea, but that’s easier said than done!” to God? Would not, should not we all agree that He probably knows a huge amount more about everything than we do, and since He gave us those commands – not suggestions – that He probably knew/knows that if we would do it and STOP saying that it can’t be done, that a miracle would undoubtedly emerge? I think so! Why do I think so? Well, after (40) years in the pulpit and the counsel chamber as a Senior Pastor, I ALWAYS found that when my counsel accordingly was both accepted and lived out, it ALWAYS produced the expected results!

Lastly, Our Wonderful Lord commands us “…not to be wise in our own opinion.” Trouble is – far too often, most people (in regards to that Romans 12: 9-21 passage), commit the sin of doing precisely the OPPOSITE! Pride and Arrogance takes center stage, and I think most Americans are so fed up with it they could scream!

I KNOW…I KNOW! Even rehearsing what our Lord says in this “crazy-to-be-politically-correct” world in which we live – NEVERTHELESS, our choice must ALWAYS BE, do what God says!

“We Need A ‘Bailout’ in Self-Control!”

“We Need A ‘Bailout’ of Self-Control!”

All you have to do to know that ‘self-control’ is a rare commodity in this new pressure-cooker day in which we now live, is to get up in the morning, turn on most any news channel, and everyone is streamed up about something and it seems that no one agrees with anyone anymore. And worse, each individual seems bent on proving absolutely, that it must be their way or the high way, and the news anchor has to literally just go to commercial and leave them talking to cool things down!

Losing control is a familiar experience for most of us. We talk too much or retaliate with our tongue. We overeat and overspend. We think that if we indulge that bad habit just one more time, we’ll be satisfied. Or we don’t think at all, simply acting or reacting, ignoring our need for self-control.

“Just Do It” & “Just say No”

The slogans “Just Do It” and “Just say No” imply that anyone can choose to control themselves. But not many today seem to be making such choices. Instead, we’re listening to other messages (often the commercial one-liners that are drilled into our brains) that tell us what we want to hear. Isuzu for years have been telling us that “The world has boundaries. Ignore them.” Foster Grant says, “No Limits.” Merrill Lynch advises, “Know no boundaries.” Outback Steak house states, “No rules. Just right.”

The Statistical Survey of the United States indicates that we’re taking these ideas to heart, with a passion. A vast majority of Americans live in debt. The greater portion of our population is overweight. And I could but probably won’t go any further with the statistics. But it appears obvious that we clearly struggle to say “no” to ourselves about much of anything! [Matter-of-fact, if you have read this far, you are undoubtedly ahead of the curve of where most people are, who can control themselves enough to show even the slightest concern for the problem.]

But even though we know that self-control is very important. Many have just abandoned any serious effort to achieve it. If it doesn’t ‘feel’ good and is not what is ‘comfortable’ to us, or is ‘taboo’ in our thinking (even if it might be good for us) like having someone speak to us about what God thinks about anything – we turn them off without batting an eye.

So why is self-control so difficult to acquire? The main reason is because our sinful nature doesn’t reform. It doesn’t just wake up one morning and decide to obey God. Following God means learning not to follow our natural inclinations and the appetites of our flesh. It is a daily battle; one that Jesus, God’s Son, fought and won, every day.

Is it Just Impossible to Try…?

So to all who care and would like to change: To grow in self-control, we need a change of heart in order to change our habits. And our obedience to God is not a teeth-gritting attempt to measure up to an impossible standard; rather it grows out of a deep love relationship that is gained from daily surrendering to Him. And a knowledge that He does NOT desire to NOR does He remove anything from us; that is beneficial to our fulfilling His perfect will for our lives, in our lifetime, on this planet!

Be encouraged fellow traveler – our Lord knows what it is like to struggle against temptation. He forgives and cleanses us when we confess our lack of self-control to Him. He is lovingly patient with us, cheering us on, sending help every time we ask, so we don’t have to give in to temptations or give up on our pilgrimage toward self-control!

“Living under Pressure, correctly, can produce Peace in the very midst of Tragedy!”

“Living under Pressure, correctly, can produce Peace in the very midst of Tragedy!”

There are two quotes that I find to be excellent illustrations concerning how we should act while under pressure:

1) “The tea kettle does not sing until it gets into hot water.”
2) “The full strength of a tea bag isn’t drawn out until it gets into hot water.”

And I believe it would be safe to say that all of us face pressures in this life. And it is how we respond to pressure that determines whether we mature and grow, both in God and in life, or fall in serving Him and others. Some when facing pressure crack and fall apart. Others permit the pressure to make them grow in maturity and in the Lord, just as a pearl is formed.

The very professional athletes that give us so much pleasure as we follow them are not champions necessarily because they have the best talent. But rather, they play their best when under pressure because they are champions. And on the other hand, we occasionally see very talented athletes who crack repeatedly under pressure. And when we see this, we have discovered that these athletes become known for their failures in big contests rather than for their overall statistics, regardless of how impressive they may be.

So in this instance, we need to learn the lesson of the tea kettle – that when life’s pressures fall heavily upon us, let’s begin to whistle! [Personally, this very tool has been the precise response that has brought me through, time and time again.]

But another incident comes to mind when I think of the horrific events that confronted America and most all of the civilized world, on the morning of September 11, 2001, that left so many in mourning. For it reminds me of Horatio Spafford, who wrote the well-known hymn, “It is Well with My Soul” and the tragedy that birthed the words to that song.

Horatio Spafford, a lawyer and teacher, scheduled a trip to France for he and his family, but was eventually forced to delay his own departure because of business. Instead, he sent his wife and four daughters on to France aboard the Ville du Havre, with plans to join them soon after. The ship however collided with another vessel in the deep waters of the Atlantic and sunk shortly after. All four daughters drowned. Mr. Spafford’s wife, who somehow survived, sent a cablegram with these brief words, “Saved Alone.” Yet Mr. and Mrs. Spafford experienced great peace and strength, knowing that their daughters were in heaven, as they all had been converted to Christianity during a meeting led by the well known evangelist, D. L. Moody.

Horatio later penned the words to “It is Well with My Soul” after that tragedy. And to this day, many quote the words to the first verse, “When peace, like a river, attended my way, When sorrows like sea-billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, ‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’ “

The third verse speaks to a peace that goes beyond the temporal tragedy they faced. It is the peace of sin forgiven. Think of these words: “My sin – oh, the bliss of this glorious thought, My sin – not in part, but the whole, Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”

Horatio Spafford’s burden of sin and guilt was an even greater burden to him than the children he had lost at sea. Yet he and his wife could know the peace of God for their grief and for the burden of sin that had been taken care of by the Lord. His heart was calmed by the work of Christ on the cross. Horatio knew the peace that only God could bring, and I would encourage all of the readers to know that His Amazing Grace is available to each of us today, regardless of the panic on Wall Street, or the fear that would try to overtake your heart. Rest in knowing – HE IS IN CONTROL!

“From The White House to Our House!”

“From The White House to Our House”

[Reality & Response]

The wave of emotions that have rocked America and most of the world over the financial woes of this October can only be likened unto a tsunami, dashing the dreams of billions of people, and producing confusion in Wall Street and Our Street. And it caused Warren Buffett to liken it unto a heart attack victim “flat on the floor.”

Where we go from here and how we maneuver our way through the maze of political indecisions over it all, following the so called, ‘Wall Street Bailout’, is like going down to your local neighborhood minute mart and purchasing a ‘lottery ticket’ and hoping it will be the answer to the dilemma we face. For this is not something that developed during the month of October, and we are most certainly not about to emerge from it without further pain and suffering.

How did we get here in the first place? Well, I believe that it has become abundantly clear that it was a combination of Greed, too rapidly available financial transactions, and Wall Street Guru’s and bankers who masterminded unending unsecured investment schemes that looked good on paper. However, when the free market deck of cards began to shake because of vanishing confidence in the market together with unavailable credit, it all just came crashing down.

And now, as Americans ring their hands and watch their 401(k)’s dwindle to dismal replica’s of what they once were, and their stocks disappear in usefulness like yesterdays newspaper, we all cry, “Does anyone know who owes what to whom and where do we go to begin again?”

Sadly, American families do not have ‘golden parachutes’ or parachutes of any design for that matter, to rely on for security in our futures, unlike that of the Executives on Wall Street who put us in this predicament to begin with.

So where do we go from here? First, let’s remember what we should always do when we find ourselves at the end of our rope – Not Despair, but tie a knot in the end of the rope and hang onto the knot until someone pulls us up through secure planning and hard work. Secondly, let’s become quick studies and determine how we can use what we have and how we as ordinary Americans can practice fiscal discipline. And finally, determine to keep our hands out of what little retirement fund may still exist, tighten our belts, readjust our budgets to reflect the reality of our actual disposable income, and then – have faith in the flexibility of the American people, our national resiliency and most of all, our God!

“The Inspiring ‘Carly Story’ makes the Real Us to Stand Up!”

“The Inspiring ‘Carly Story’ makes the Real Us to Stand Up!”

It doesn’t take us long in life to realize that we will NEVER Rise above the image we have of ourselves in our mind. And as I chew on that thought this morning, a beautiful story comes to mind that perfectly illustrates it:

By most standards, Carly should not have made it. Overweight, with one leg slightly shorter than the other as the results of a childhood accident, Carly was the lone woman employed in a largely male-dominated field. She had to earn her right to be heard nearly every day. Some people laughed at her appearance or her halting walk, some made snide remarks behind her back, some Were inconsiderate to her face, but Carly paid little attention to it. She knew who she was and she knew she was good at what she did, so when other people attempted to put her down, she regarded them as having the problem. “Emotionally challenged,” she often quipped about her detractors.

Despite the factors working against her, Carly continued to receive one promotion after another, eventually becoming the CEO of her company and a highly-sought-after expert in her field. How did she do it?

Carly’s secret is her incredibly positive self-image. A devout Christian, Carly believes that she has been made in the image of God, and that He gives her life intrinsic value. She doesn’t strive for the approval of other people, or depend on compliments from her superiors or peers to feel good about herself. Bright, friendly, articulate, and extremely competent in her work, Carly goes through life with a smile. While others shake their heads in amazement at her attitude, Carly is living her dream every day!

CONSIDER THIS: Your self-image is much like a self-portrait; it is who and what you picture yourself to be. Do you base how you feel about yourself on false, fickle standards such as what neighborhood you live in, the style of car you drive, or the opinion of power-lunch groups? If so, your self-image may not be an accurate reflection of who you really are. Every person has an image of themselves. Who do you think you are?

IN CLOSING: If you think you are just ordinary, then understand, even if that were so – God loves to use ordinary people, just like you and me, faults and all, to do extraordinary things. And even if you don’t feel capable in your own strength, that is okay, for God tells us that He always causes us to triumph! So let’s continue to grow and learn to guard our mind, our thought life, and start dwelling on what we ‘Can Do’ and NOT on what ‘we can’t do’!

HAVE A G R E A T DAY!

“In This Day of Everyone Slamming Everyone – Do We Really Have a Right to Judge, and When is it Gossip?”

“In This Day of Everyone Slamming Everyone – Do We Really Have A Right to Judge, and When is it Gossip?”

Our Freedom of Speech is both a dynamic privilege as well as a potentially very powerful weapon, and we must be very careful to use it properly. When we use our opinion to edify, we garner blessings unto ourselves. When we use our opinion we can likewise alter the course of history. So, we must really be objective when we are about to express our opinion, and when our opinion affects someone else, we might very well be “judging”, and our opinion is how we judge what we think.

For those who care, God’s express word to us in the Bible states, “Do not judge, or you will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in our own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Many people emphasize the first verse alone, and think that the Bible prohibits us to judge…but that is impossible, and that is why verse 2 warns us: “…for the same way you judge, you will be judge”. Verse 3 and 4 exhort us to judge what we have within before sharing our opinions about others.

Now about the matter of Gossip:

The Bible inserts its instructions: “He who is trustworthy and faithful in spirit keeps the matter hidden.” Proverbs 11:13 (Paraphrase)

In 1752, a group of Methodist men, including John Wesley, signed a covenant that every man agreed to hang on his study wall. The six articles of this agreement were as follow:

• That we will not listen or willingly inquire after ill concerning one another.
• That if we do hear any ill of each other, we will not believe it.
• That as soon as possible we will communicate what we hear by speaking or writing to the person concerned.
• That until we have done this, we will not write or speak a syllable of it to any other person.
• That neither will we mention it, after we have done this, to any other person.
• That we will not make any exception to any of these rules unless we think ourselves absolutely obliged, and then only in conference with each other.

**Fellow humans,
what say we join these our forefathers and be (1) person – each of us, who likewise commits ourselves to live accordingly once again!

Always remember, the person who says to you, “Don’t tell this to another soul,” has undoubtedly told all the souls they know. Confront them in love about what they are doing and don’t carry it a step further!

“Take A Break and Laugh, for it is Often NOT what you Thought it was!”

“Take a Break and Laugh, for it is often NOT what you thought it was!”

All one has to do is listen for a few hours to the Verbiage on TV or read them in the Daily Newspapers and Articles regarding the “Financial Crisis” and Political Standoffs as they attempt to handle it, and you know that most of the time they seem to be talking about two different issues, and that reminds me of a hilarious incident that happened awhile back that so vividly illustrates the confusion on the ‘table’ of consideration in all of this:

For there was a nice lady, a minister’s widow, who was a little old-fashioned. She was planning a week’s vacation in California at Skylake Yosemite Campground, but she wanted to make sure of the accommodations first. Uppermost in her mind was bathroom facilities, but she couldn’t bring herself to write, “toilet” in a letter. After considerable thought, she settled on “bathroom commode,” but when she wrote that down, it still sounded too forward, so, after the first page of her letter, she from then on referred to the bathroom commode as “BC.” “Does the cabin where I will be staying have its own “BC?” If not, where is the ‘BC’ located?”

The campground owner took the first page of the letter and the lady’s check and gave it to his secretary. He put the remainder of the letter on the desk of the senior member of his staff without noticing that the staffer would have no way of knowing what “BC” meant. Then the owner went off to town to run some errands.

The staff member came in after lunch, found the letter, and was baffled by the euphemism, so he showed the letter around to several counselors, but they couldn’t figure it out either. The staff member’s wife, who knew that the lady was the widow of a famous Baptist preacher, was sure that it must be a question about the local Baptist Church. “Of course,” the first staffer exclaimed, “BC” stands for ‘Baptist Church.’” And he sat down and wrote:

Dear Madam,
“I regret very much the delay in answering your letter, but I now take the pleasure in informing you that the BC is located only nine miles north of the campground and is capable of seating 250 people at one time. I admit, it is quite a distance away if you are in the habit of going regularly, but no doubt you will be pleased to know that a great number of people take their lunches along and make a day of it. They usuall arrive early and stay late.
The last time my wife and I went was six years ago, and it was so crowded we had to stand up the whole time we were there. It may interest you to know that right now there is a supper planned to raise money to buy more seats. They are going to hold it in the basement of the “BC.”
I would like to say that it pains me very much not to be able to go more regularly, but it is surely not a lack of desire on my part. As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort, particularly in cold weather.
If you decide to come down to our campground, perhaps I could go with you the fist time, sit with you, and introduce you to all the folks. Remember, this is a friendly communiity.”

So Friends, take a deep breath, and realize that as with all things, though it may all seem to be an ‘unworkable’ situation, that given enough time and clarity, surely it will all work out for the best of everyone. Though we doubt very seriously that this dear lady made that planned trip – Ha Ha!

“Do We Ever Need to Un-Make-Up Our Mind!”

“Do We Ever Need to Un-Make-Up Our Mind!”

Key Truth: If We will change our thinking, We can change our life!

Does Anyone remember living in such a time of turmoil, and Everyone, especially our Politicians in total confusion about what should or shouldn’t be expected of the American Populace? NEVER in my life time can I recollect a more URGENT need for a complete Re-Tooling of our THINKING Process. And as the Senate and House keep trying to tell the other how “out of touch with America” they are, let’s step back a moment and shake ourselves and disengage from our ‘Political Party’ for just a moment, and think for ourselves and consider what is best for us and our Family and our Fellow Man. For God, after all, gave ALL OF US an ability to think and to reason if we will but access that gift, minus outside political influence!

Think of this: Every four years, the world’s attention turns to the summer Olympic Games (that we recently concluded), and watching the games nowadays it is quite difficult to remember that only a few decades ago, track-and-field experts pompously declared that no runner would be able to break the four-minute mile barrier. Ostensibly, a human being couldn’t run that far, that fast, for that length of time. “Experts” conducted all sort of profound studies to show how impossible it was to beat the four-minute barrier. And for years, they were right. Nobody ran a mile in less than four minutes.

However, someone forgot to tell Roger Bannister. Even if they had, he wouldn’t have believed the experts anyway. He didn’t dwell on the impossibilities. He began to train, believing he was going to break that record. Sure enough, he went out one day and made sports history, breaking the four-minute mile barrier. He did what the experts said couldn’t be done.

Now, here is what I find so interesting about Roger’s story: Within ten years, 336 other runners had broken the four-minute-mile record, as well! Think about that. For hundreds of years, as far back as statisticians kept track-and-field records, nobody was able to run a mile in less than four minutes. For years, runners believed it was impossible. But then within a decade, more than three hundred people from various geographic locations were able to do it. What happened? Simple. The barrier was in their minds!

THE MORAL TO THIS STORY OF LIFE: We can’t go around thinking thoughts of defeat and failure and expect to be filled with Joy and Expectation. We can’t go around thinking thoughts of poverty and lack, and expect to be filled with Hope and Abundance!

Our words carry so much authority in our lives, words after all coming from our heart – the place that determines what we really think anyway. So let’s QUIT talking about what we can’t do, and start thinking and talking about what we can do with our heart back in gear and clear minded!

“Whew! Too Much Stress Today – It’s Time to Crack Up!”

“Whew! Too Much Stress Today – Time to Crack Up!”

Eleven people were hanging on a rope under a helicopter, ten men and one woman. The rope was not strong enough to carry them all, so they decided that one had to leave, because otherwise they were all going to fall. They weren’t able to name that person, until the woman gave a very touching speech. She said that she would voluntarily let go of the rope, because, as a woman, she was used to giving up everything for her husband and kids or for men in general, and was used to always making sacrifices with little in return. As soon as she finished her speech, all the men started clapping.

Kentucky: NEWS FLASH! – Kentucky’s worst air disaster occurred when a small two-seater Cessna 150, piloted by two University of Indiana students, crashed into a cemetery earlier today.

Search and Rescue workers have recovered 300 bodies so far and expect the number to climb as digging continues into the evening. The pilot and copilot survived and are helping in the recovery efforts.

Tennessee: A Tennessee State trooper pulled over a pickup on I-65. The trooper asked, “Got any ID?” The driver replied, “Bout whut?”

Bubba had Shingles

Those of us who spend time in a doctor’s office should appreciate this! Doesn’t it seem that more and more physicians are running their practices like an assembly line? Here’s what happened to Bubba:

Bubba walked into the doctor’s office and the receptionist asked him what he had. Bubba said, Shingles. So she wrote down his name, address, medical insurance number and told him to have a seat.

Fifteen minutes later a nurse’s aide came out and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, Shingles. So she wrote down his height, weight, a complete medical history and told Bubba to wait in the examining room.

A half hour later a nurse came in and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, Shingles. So the nurse gave Bubba a blood test, a blood pressure test, and electrocardiogram, and told Bubba to take off all his clothes and wait for the doctor.

An hour later the doctor came in and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, Shingles. The doctor asked, Where? Bubba said, “Outside on the truck. Where do you want them delivered?”

“Love Is Blind…” (w/humor)

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“Love Is Blind…”
(W/humor)

How we treat other people will have a great impact on the degree of blessings and favor of God we are experiencing in our lives. Are you a good to people? Are you kind and considerate? Do you speak and act with love in your heart and regard other people as valuable and special? Friends, we can’t treat people poorly and expect to be blessed. We can’t be rude and inconsiderate and expect to live in victory. And I am not asking these questions because I want to blame anyone – but simply to jog our thinking so as to cause each of us today to take inventory, that we may be certain all is well in this area, since it so powerfully effects the outcome of our blessings and victory in life!

When you are placed in awkward situations where someone doesn’t treat you right, you have a golden opportunity to help heal a wounded heart. Keep in mind, hurting people often hurt other people as a result of their own pain. If someone is rude and inconsiderate, you can almost be certain that they have some unresolved issues inside. They have major problems – anger, resentment, or some heartache – they are trying to cope with or overcome. The last thing they need is for you or I to make matters worse by responding angrily.

Evil is never overcome by more evil. If you mistreat people who are mistreating you, you will make matters worse. When you express anger to a person who has been angry with you, it’s like adding fuel to a fire. No, we overcome evil with good. When someone hurts you, the only way you can overcome it is by showing them mercy, forgiving them, and doing what is right.

Keep taking the high road, being kind and courteous. Keep walking in love and having a good attitude. God sees what you’re doing. He sees you going the extra mile to do what’s right, and He will make sure your good actions and attitude will overcome that evil. If you’ll keep doing the right thing, you will come out far ahead of where you would have been had you fought fire with fire.

CONSIDER THIS: If someone is not treating you right today, go out of your way to be kinder than usual to that person. God sees your acts of kindness and mercy. When you are kind to people, when you go around doing good to people, God arranges for others to leave “Handfuls” of good things for you on purpose. You will find a handful of blessings over here, a handful of blessings over there, supernatural favors over here, unexpected promotion over there. Everywhere you go, you will discover the supernatural blessings of God lying in your path, left there on purpose for you by God.

Just a funny your funny-bonefor :

Fred had been a faithful Christian and was in the hospital, near death. The family called their preacher to stand with them. As the preacher stood next to the bed, Fred’s condition appeared to deteriorate and he motioned frantically for something to write on. The pastor lovingly handed him a pen and a piece of paper, and Fred used his last bit of energy to scribble a note, then he died. The preacher thought it best not to look at the note at that time, so he placed it in his jacket pocket.
At the funeral, as he was finishing the message, he realized that he was wearing the same jacket that he was wearing when Fred died. So he said, “You know, Fred handed me a note just before he died. I haven’t looked at it, but knowing Fred, I’m sure there’s a word of inspiration there for all of us.” He opened the note, and read, “You’re standing on my oxygen tube!”

“Living under Pressure, correctly, can produce Peace in the very midst of Tragedy!”

“Living under Pressure, correctly, can produce Peace in the very midst of Tragedy!”

There are two quotes that I find to be excellent illustrations concerning how we should act while under pressure:

1) “The tea kettle does not sing until it gets into hot water.”
2) “The full strength of a tea bag isn’t drawn out until it gets into hot water.”

And I believe it would be safe to say that all of us face pressures in this life. And it is how we respond to pressure that determines whether we mature and grow, both in God and in life, or fall in serving Him and others. Some when facing pressure crack and fall apart. Others permit the pressure to make them grow in maturity and in the Lord, just as a pearl is formed.

The very professional athletes that give us so much pleasure as we follow them are not champions necessarily because they have the best talent. But rather, they play their best when under pressure because they are champions. And on the other hand, we occasionally see very talented athletes who crack repeatedly under pressure. And when we see this, we have discovered that these athletes become known for their failures in big contests rather than for their overall statistics, regardless of how impressive they may be.

So in this instance, we need to learn the lesson of the tea kettle – that when life’s pressures fall heavily upon us, let’s begin to whistle! [Personally, this very tool has been the precise response that has brought me through, time and time again.]

But another incident comes to mind when I think of the horrific events that confronted America and most all of the civilized world, on the morning of September 11, 2001, that left so many in mourning. For it reminds me of Horatio Spafford, who wrote the well-known hymn, “It is Well with My Soul” and the tragedy that birthed the words to that song.

Horatio Spafford, a lawyer and teacher, scheduled a trip to France for he and his family, but was eventually forced to delay his own departure because of business. Instead, he sent his wife and four daughters on to France aboard the Ville du Havre, with plans to join them soon after. The ship however collided with another vessel in the deep waters of the Atlantic and sunk shortly after. All four daughters drowned. Mr. Spafford’s wife, who somehow survived, sent a cablegram with these brief words, “Saved Alone.” Yet Mr. and Mrs. Spafford experienced great peace and strength, knowing that their daughters were in heaven, as they all had been converted to Christianity during a meeting led by the well known evangelist, D. L. Moody.

Horatio later penned the words to “It is Well with My Soul” after that tragedy. And to this day, many quote the words to the first verse, “When peace, like a river, attended my way, When sorrows like sea-billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, ‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’ “

The third verse speaks to a peace that goes beyond the temporal tragedy they faced. It is the peace of sin forgiven. Think of these words: “My sin – oh, the bliss of this glorious thought, My sin – not in part, but the whole, Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”

Horatio Spafford’s burden of sin and guilt was an even greater burden to him than the children he had lost at sea. Yet he and his wife could know the peace of God for their grief and for the burden of sin that had been taken care of by the Lord. His heart was calmed by the work of Christ on the cross. Horatio knew the peace that only God could bring, and I would encourage all of the readers to know that His Amazing Grace is available to each of us today, regardless of the panic on Wall Street, or the fear that would try to overtake your heart. Rest in knowing – HE IS IN CONTROL!

“(40) Year Veteran Shines Light Into Lucrative World of Online Business Opportunities & Purpose of Life!”

“Veteran (40) Year Minister Shines Light Into Lucrative World of Online Business Opportunities & Purpose of Life!”

(40) year veteran minister and two time recipient of the prestigious ‘Joshua Award’ from the Muhlenberg Foundation for his accomplishments in the field of ‘Uncompromising Truth’, shares his timely information regarding Online Business Opportunities and wisdom on ‘Discovering the Purposes of Life, and Finding the Way Through the Minefield of Hopelessness”.

People everywhere face choices as to what and how they can rise above the sense of meaninglessness and worthlessness. For many, just having a reason to get out of bed in the morning would be a great sense of accomplishment, and the desire to find their ‘purpose in life’ is an all-consuming detail that constantly eludes them.

Richard states that as complex as the problem may appear to be, in reality, it amounts to little more than putting their finger on the pulse of what can draw them towards their purpose/s in life. And the best place to start is realizing that the easiest formula is doing something for others. For, as Richard says, when we simply start thinking outside our comfort zone; i.e. what would bring meaning and purpose to others, we begin to discover those same answers for ourselves and others begin to return the favor!

It is just a very simple solution

Richard found that after (40) sum odd years behind the pulpit and the counselors desk, the prevailing problems that faced the majority of people, and especially now in these stressful economic days, was the overall feeling of purposelessness and the inability to know what to do to change their future. This is the main reason he entered Internet Marketing and found the perfect solution (economically) to help build financial capital and offer this same answer to others. “It is just a very simple solution” says Richard and one of the main factors that led him to name his website www.thisissimplemath.info . Now he strongly encourages people to do their work from home and save the hassle that comes with working out in the world, and frees them up then to tackle, head-on, the other factors that will develop that “sense of well being” that he promotes from years of experience.

There have been many studies published that have proven that people who see themselves as being part of a grand plan by the creator of the Universe, and thus feel that their lives are being guided by a strong spiritual value system, live a much more balanced, healthy and overall congenial and contented life. Adding to this Richard says are the keys that promote and energize young and old alike, such as: Finding what most easily becomes natural goals to the individual; what peaks their interest, holds their attention, and challenges their abilities.

Add to these factors those arenas of life that draw out ones involvement; be it volunteering in community activities that cause a fulfillment from within; discovering a new career or a pursuit – something we always wanted to do but didn’t think we could, and go after it; and then try what has worked for him for all these decades, Richard says, spend some time sitting and journaling your thoughts and life-experiences thus far and determine what surfaces after a period of time and from this, one will normally be able to uncover where life has taken them thus far and then be able to plot an encouraging course for the future, one they will find purpose in and one that will relight the fire of desire to live again!

“The NO-Bailout Industry – Maybe They’re Others, Let’s Look!”

“The N0-Bailout Industry – Maybe They’re Others, Let’s Look!”

In Case the US Treasury is interested – Hot Dogs are doing just fine, ‘Thank You Very Much” and they aren’t standing in the ‘Gimme’ line with a ‘You Owe Me’ Look On Their Faces or their hands out for a BAILOUT! And according to nationwide statistics, sales are up 1.5 percent on the dogs that are prepared and 4 percent on those from the grocery store that you cook at home, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, a division of the American Meat Institute.

If some might chance to say that these percentages or numbers are not through-the-roof stats, I think that it could safely be argued that in our stagnant economy with ‘low’ everything when it comes to retail sales, an UP! hot dog index may just be about as remarkable as anyone can find, and after all, doesn’t it sound and look good to see one of our ‘good ole American Institutions’ not only holding their own but making steady progress!

Anyone old enough to drive (or younger) can usually remember at least once going to the ball game with someone special in their lives and licking their lips as they embellished their yummy hot dog with their favorite condiments, and then taking a delicious bite and washing it down with their favorite soda pop. But then, along the streets of most cities throughout our country as far back as scarcely beyond the turn of the century, someone can tell of old family photographs in their possession and/or similar keepsakes in City archives where hot dog stands graced the pages and the fond memories of easier times. They are as much a part of our ‘heritage’ as apple pie and Chevrolet!

Though the ‘Hot Dog’ was frowned upon for a few years as more health-conscious selections were introduce into the market, a revival of the American Tradition made a big time comeback beginning in the ‘80s with the introduction of poultry-based dogs, and it has been a non-stop favorite ever since. Maybe these calculations by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council will be of interest to you:

• Americans will have eaten enough hot dogs at major league ballparks this year to stretch from RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., to AT&T Park in San Francisco.
• New Yorkers consume more hot dogs than residents of any other city, beating out Chicago and Los Angeles.
• Travelers passing through Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport consume more hot dogs than people using Los Angeles International Airport and La-Guardia Airport combined.
• On Independence Day, Americans will enjoy 150 Million hot dogs, enough to stretch from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles more than five times.
• During hot dog season, Memorial Day to Labor Day, Americans typically consume 7 billion hot dogs – an average of 818 hot dogs a second during that period.

So maybe we can sit up and take notice of how in even the seriousness of the ailing market of today, the hot dog can still stand it ground and hold its own. And lastly, maybe there is a lesson to be learned here by all of us and it is this, just like when times get really tough and people return to what is familiar – let’s stop long enough to see if there isn’t some other good old faithful American Institutions that can help point us to the light!

“Today’s Problems vs Tomorrow’s Opportunities!”

“Don’t let the Financial Crisis rob you of your Future Opportuniites!”

With the Stock Market and Banking Business roller coaster ride this week and so many things taking a nose dive, it is far too easy to slide into an almost unconscious depression. But let us not forget that looming dark clouds are usually followed by fresh rain, which quickly cleanses the air!

BUT PROBLEMS ALWAYS PRODUCE OPPORTUNITIES!

In fact, almost every problem in life comes with renewed opportunities that we would have otherwise never realized. And as a wise man once said – even an eagle’s largest obstacle to flying faster is the air that faces it; but if you take away the air – it will immediately fall. The very same elements that make it so hard for it to fly are the ones that offer the indispensable conditions for it to do so.

The same law may be applied to humans: Obstacles often are conditions to success. A life without obstacles or trials will reduce your possibilities and power to zero. For if you eliminate your problems, your life will loose the very creative pressure that produces miracles, just as priceless pearls are produced by the grinding grit in the oyster.

Needs are what push you to do what you must to be successful:

• The problem of ignorance gives meaning to education.
• The problem of sickness gives meaning to medicine.
• The problem of social disorder gives a meaning to government.

Throughout our lives, we want to be set free from problems, pressures and responsibilities, but when this situation comes to your mind, try to remember a young man who asked a lonely old man: “Which is the heaviest load to carry in life?” And the old man answered: “Not having any load to carry at all!”

Today, is case in point – down over 700 on the Dow in the middle of crazy Monday yesterday – and at nearly 4:00 PM Today – it is over 500, spurred on by the pressures of yesterday on the Market and the hopes of a better tomorrow! KEEP YOUR OPPORTUNITIES IN SIGHT!