SHAYNE MOORE

Women are the caretakers of the world. Yet global HIV and AIDS and extreme poverty can seem overwhelming. Even if these things break our mother’s hearts, how is a busy, full-time mom to get engaged and make a difference?

Global Soccer Mom shows that everyday moms care deeply about these issues and long to engage the world in a meaningful way. Busy women everywhere will resonate with Shayne’s story as a mother of three who learned she could make a difference on the global level. Follow Shayne’s journey—sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant–and learn how you can get involved too.

Activist Shayne Moore knows the challenge of managing a home and the desire to make a difference for those who are suffering. As a full-time mom, she has journeyed from an insular suburban world into the arena of global advocacy, where she’s worked alongside media superstars to effect change. Using the power of story, she inspires women everywhere to start right where they are and make a real difference.

BUY THE BOOK Global Soccer Mom: Changing the World Is Easier Than You Think

Every day, tens of thousands of women turn to Midday Connection for spiritual nourishment and encouragement through the radio program and Facebook community. The hosts, Anita Lustrea, Melinda Schmidt and Lori Neff hear the heartfelt needs of these women and understand their desires to grow in body, mind, and soul.

In response, Midday Connection along with prominent authors and artists – Staci Eldridge, Shannon Ethridge, Carol Kent, Sara Groves and many others – compiled Tending the Soul: 90-days of Spiritual Nourishment.

This devotional combines transparency with biblical truth, as each reading begins with scripture, followed by a short devotional including a deeply personal prayer, and closes with an application question.

BUY THE BOOK Tending the Soul: 90 Days of Spiritual Nourishment

courtesy || www.shaynemoore.com

FLY LIKE AN EAGLE

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to
some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, the eagle sets its wings so that the
wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.
The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.

When the storms of life come upon us — and all of us will experience them — we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God’s power to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storms that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment into our lives. We can soar above the storm.

Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them. The Bible says, “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.”—Isaiah 40:31

ARE YOU GOD'S WIFE?

A boy about ten years old was standing in front of a shoe store, barefooted, peering through the window and
shivering with cold. A lady approached the boy and said, “My little fellow, why are you looking so earnestly in that window?” “I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,” was the boy’s reply.

The lady took him by the hand and went into the store and asked for the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her. She took the young fellow to the back of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his feet and dried them with the towel.

By this time the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy’s feet, she purchased a pair of shoes for him. She packaged the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him.

She patted him on the head and said, “No doubt, my young fellow, you feel more comfortable now?” As she turned to go, the astonished lad caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face with tears in his eyes, answered her question with these words:

“Are you God’s wife?”

THE HEART OF A LESSON

His name was Bill. He had wild hair, wore a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He was kind of eccentric but very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.


Across the street from the campus was a prosperous and very conservative church. They wanted to develop a ministry to the students, but were not sure how to go about it.


One day Bill decides to go to the church. He walks in with his wild hair, jeans, T-shirt, and bare feet.


The service has already started, so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can’t find a seat. The well-dressed people look a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just sits down right on the floor.


By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.


About this time, the minister realizes that from the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. The deacon is in his eighties, with silver hair and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified. Leaning on his cane, he walks down the aisle toward the boy.


The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man’s cane. All eyes are focused on him. The minister can’t even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do. Everyone expects the deacon is going to eject Bill from church — and who could blame him?


But now they see the elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself to sit down next to Bill and worship with him so he won’t be alone.


Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister regains his control, he says, “What I’m about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.”


Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read.

7 UPS GUARANTEED TO LIFT YOUR DAY

Wake Up
Decide to have a good day. “Today is the day the LORD
hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”—Psalm 118:24

Dress Up
Put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to
improve your looks. “The LORD does not look at the
things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance;
but the LORD looks at the heart.” —I Samuel 16:7

Shut Up
Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two
ears and one mouth, so he must have meant for us to
do twice as much listening as talking. “He who guards
his lips guards his soul.”—Proverbs 13:3

Stand Up
For what you believe in. Stand for something or you
will fall for anything. “Let us not be weary in doing
good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if
we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity,
let us do good.”—Galatians 6:9-10

Look Up
To the Lord. “I can do everything through Christ who
strengthens me.”—Philippians 4:13

Reach Up
For something higher. “Trust in the LORD with all your
heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In
all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct
your path.”—Proverbs 3:5-6

Lift Up
Your prayers. “Do not worry about anything; instead,
pray about everything.”—Philippians 4:6

CLASS PROJECT: SMILE

The last class I had to take for my college degree was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring, with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called “Smile.” The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone anyway, so I thought this would be a piece of cake.


Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to a fast food restaurant one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special time together. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.


I did not move an inch. A feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around, I smelled a horrible “dirty body” smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.


As I looked down at the short gentleman close to me, he was “smiling.” His beautiful sky-blue eyes were full of God’s Light as he searched for acceptance.


He said, “Good day,” as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his guardian. I held back my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.


He said, “Coffee is all, Miss,” because that was all they could afford. If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm. Then I really felt it — the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.


I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman’s cold hand. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and said, “Thank you.”



I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, “I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.”

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down, my husband smiled at me and said, “That is why God gave you to me, Honey. To give me hope.”


We held hands for a moment and we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.


That day showed me the pure Light of God’s sweet love.


I returned to college on the last evening of class with this story in hand. I turned in my “project” and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, “Can I share this?” I slowly nodded and she got the attention of the class.


She began to read and that is when I knew that all of us, as human beings and children of God, share this need to heal people and to be healed.


In my own way I had touched the people at the restaurant, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I graduated with one of the greatest lessons I would ever learn:


unconditional acceptance.


Don’t love things and use people,
But use things and love people.

FAITH QUOTES TO LIFT YOU UP

• Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is!
• Faith isn't believing without proof – it's trusting without reservation || William Sloane Coffin
• You can only apprehend the Infinite by a faculty that is superior to reason || Plotinus 
• By all means rid yourself of an impoverished faith || George MacDonald
• In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't || Blaise Pascal
• Faith...comes only when the outward fact penetrates to the inner heart of man and takes possession of him there - and this is the work of the Spirit || George Hendry
• Faith, like sight is nothing apart from God. You might as well shut your eyes and look inside, and see whether you have sight as to look inside to discover whether you have faith || Hannah Whitall Smith
• When you are deluded and full of doubt, even a thousand books of scripture are not enough. When you have realized understanding; even one word is too much || Fen Yang
• For those with faith, no explanation is necessary. For those without, no explanation is possible || Thomas Aquinas
• Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservations || Elton Trueblood
• Faith is different from proof; the latter is human, the former is a Gift from God || Blaise Pascal
• Seeking to know is only too often learning to doubt || Antionette du Liger de la Garde Deshoulieres
• Faith which does not doubt is dead faith || Miguel de Unamuno
• It is not as a child that I believe and confess Jesus Christ. My hosanna is born of a furnace of doubt || Fyodor Dostoyevski
• I believe though I do not comprehend, and I hold by faith what I cannot grasp with the mind || Saint Bernard
• The problem with the wise is they are so filled with doubts while the dull are so certain || Bertrand Russell
• It is the dull man who is always sure, and the sure man who is always dull || H.L. Mencken
• Doubt isn't the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith || Paul Tillich
• Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd || Voltaire
• Doubt is an incentive to truth, and patient inquiry leadeth the way || Hosea Ballou
• Faith is the master, and reason the maid-servant || Martin Luther
• Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe || Augustine
• God isn't looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him || Hudson Taylor
• Fanaticism is...overcompensation for doubt || Robertson Davies
• Facts are God's arguments; we should be careful never to misunderstand or pervert them || Tryon Edwards
• A single fact can spoil a good argument || Unknown
• Faith does not ignore the facts, it ignores the power of the facts || Benny Hinn
• A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law || Unknown
• We cannot exercise our faith beyond what we believe to be possible || John G. Lake
• Faith certainly tells us what the senses do not, but not the contrary of what they see; it is above, not against them || Blaise Pascal
• Faith is the refusal to panic || David Martyn Lloyd-Jones
• I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe || Smith Wigglesworth
• Remember that what you believe will depend very much on what you are || Noah Porter
• Man is what he believes || Anton Chekhov
• We are born believing. A man bears beliefs, as a tree bears apples || Ralph Waldo Emerson
• We can believe what we choose. We are answerable for what we choose to believe || John Henry Newman
• Only he who believes is obedient. Only he who is obedient, believes || Deitrich Bonhoeffer
• It is so hard to believe because it is so hard to obey || Soren Kierkegaard
• Few really believe. The most only believe that they believe or even make believe || Napolean Bonaparte
• Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts || F.F. Bosworth
• Faith is believing something you know ain't true || Mark Twain
• Belief is reassuring. People who live in the world of belief feel safe. On the contrary, faith is forever placing us on the razor's edge || Jacques Ellul
• Faith is much better than belief. Belief is when someone else does the thinking || R. Buckminster Fuller
• Christianity is not a message which has to be believed, but an experience of faith that becomes a message || Edward Schillebeeckx
• ...for Paul faith is always faith in a person. Faith is not the intellectual acceptance of a body of doctrine; faith is faith in a person || William Barclay
• The farther we go, the more the ultimate explanation recedes from us, and all we have left is faith || Vaclav Hlavaty
• Sometimes God doesn't tell us His plan because we wouldn't believe it anyway || Carlton Pearson
• Faith embraces many truths which seem to contradict each other || Blaise Pascal
• Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart. And try to love the questions themselves || Rainer Maria Rilke
• A wise man's questions contain half the answer || Gabiriol
• Now “crises of faith” takes many shapes and forms. I suppose the salient question is whether a crisis occurs within or against faith || Michael Phillips
• We often think of great faith as something that happens spontaneously so that we can be used for a miracle or healing. However, the greatest faith of all, and the most effective, is to live day by day trusting Him. It is trusting Him so much that we look at every problem as an opportunity to see His work in our life || Rick Joyner
• The point of having an open mind, like having an open mouth, is to close it on something solid || G.K. Chesterton
• Fight to escape from your own cleverness. If you do, then you will find salvation and uprightness through Jesus Christ our Lord || John Climacus
• For many of us the great danger is not that we will renounce our faith. It is that we will become so distracted and rushed and preoccupied that we will settle for a mediocre version of it || John Ortberg
• We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking only to learn that it is God shaking them || Charles West
• If knowing answers to life's questions is absolutely necessary to you, then forget the journey. You will never make it, for this is a journey of unknowables - of unanswered questions, enigmas, incomprehensibles, and, most of all, things unfair || Jeanne Guyon
• I will have nothing to do with a God who cares only occasionally. I need a God who is with us always, everywhere, in the deepest depths as well as the highest heights. It is when things go wrong, when good things do not happen, when our prayers seem to have been lost, that God is most present. We do not need the sheltering wings when things go smoothly. We are closest to God in the darkness, stumbling along blindly || Madeleine L'Engle
• God always answers in the deeps, never in the shallows of our soul || Unknown
• Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time || Oswald Chambers
• Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God || Thomas A. Kempis
• It's a good thing to have all the props pulled out from under us occasionally. It gives us some sense of what is rock under our feet, and what is sand || Madeleine L'Engle
• Faith is the light of time, it alone recognizes truth without seeing it, touches what it cannot feel, looks upon this world as though it did not exist, sees what is not apparent. It is the key to celestial treasures, the key to the unfathomable mystery and knowledge of God. Faith conquers all the fantasy of falsehood; through faith God reveals and manifests Himself, defying all things. Faith removes the veil and uncovers eternal truth. When souls are given the understanding of faith, God speaks to them through all creation, and the universe becomes for them a living testimony which the finger of God continually traces before their eyes, the record of every passing moment, a sacred scripture. The sacred books which the Holy Spirit has dictated are only the beginnings of divine guidance for us. Everything that happens is a continuation of the scriptures, expounding for us what has not been written. Faith explains the one through the other, in which souls can discover the key to all its mysteries...... Faith is only living at its best when sensible appearances contradict and attempt to destroy it....... To find God is good in the trivial and most ordinary events as in the greatest; is to have not an ordinary, but a great and extraordinary faith....... How delightful the peace one enjoys when one has learned by faith to see God in this way through all creatures as through a transparent veil. Darkness becomes light and bitterness sweet...... There is nothing that faith does not penetrate and seek out. It passes beyond darkness, and no matter how deep the shadows, it passes through them to the truth which it always finally embraces, and from which it is never separated || Jean-Pierre de Crussade

39 HAPPINESS QUOTES TO BRIGHTEN YOUR MONDAY

1. Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.
2. Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own || Robert Heinlein
3. We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have || Frederick Keonig
4. If you want to be happy, be || Leo Tolstoy
5. Happiness is never stopping to think if you are || Palmer Sondreal
6. Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy || Robert Anthony
7. The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up || Mark Twain
8. If only we'd stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time  || Edith Wharton
9. Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy || Cynthia Nelms
10. Those who can laugh without cause have either found the true meaning of happiness or have gone stark raving mad || Norm Papernick
11. Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys.  If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it || Fyodor Dostoevsky
12. What a wonderful life I've had!  I only wish I'd realized it sooner || Colette
13. The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet || James Openheim
14. Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open || John Barrymore
15. People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness.  Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost || H. Jackson Browne
16. It's pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness.  Poverty and wealth have both failed || Frank McKinney "Kin" Hubbard
17. Happiness and sadness run parallel to each other.  When one takes a rest, the other one tends to take up the slack || Hazelmarie Elliott “Mattie”
18. Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want || Margaret Young
19. The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness || Eric Hoffer
20. Indeed, man wishes to be happy even when he so lives as to make happiness impossible || St. Augustine
21. There are two things to aim at in life:  first, to get what you want; and after that, to enjoy it.  Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second || Logan Pearsall Smith
22. Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you || Nathaniel Hawthorne
23. Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be || Abraham Lincoln
24. Happiness is a form of courage || Holbrook Jackson
25. It's never too late to have a happy childhood || Berke Breathed
26. Happiness?  That's nothing more than health and a poor memory || Albert Schweitzer
27. Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product || Eleanor Roosevelt
28. Happiness is a direction, not a place || Sydney J. Harris
29. Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important || Janet Lane
30. A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour || Unknown
31. Happiness held is the seed; happiness shared is the flower || Unknown
32. There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness || Lady Blessington
33. The best vitamin to be a happy person is B1 (be one) || Unknown
34. A great obstacle to happiness is to expect too much happiness || Bernard de Fontenelle
35. Man must search for what is right, and let happiness come on its own || Johann Pestalozzi
36. He is rich or poor according to what he is, not according to what he has || Henry Ward Beecher
37. If you search the world for happiness, you may find it in the end, for the world is round and will lead you back to your door || Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com
38. We are no longer happy so soon as we wish to be happier || Walter Savage Landor
39. The only way to avoid being miserable is not to have enough leisure to wonder whether you are happy or not || George Bernard Shaw

ADVERSITY QUOTES FOR MONDAY

• Whoever will have nothing to do with thorns, can never gather roses.
• The brook that flows over stones makes the sweetest music.
• If you remove the rocks, the brook will lose its song.
• Blessings thrive in afflictions' soil.
• Trouble is only opportunity in work clothes.
• The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter.
• It isn't the load that weights you down, it's the way you carry it.
• The darkest clouds often bring the heaviest showers of blessing.
• Jesus is no security against life's storms, but he is perfect security in them.
• Troubles are not sent to bother us but to better us.
• If we had no trials, there would be no triumphs.
• To get out of difficulty, we must go through it.
• When it gets dark enough you can see the stars.
• The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide.
• Trouble is to the triumphant spirit what turbulent water is to a sturdy boat.
• Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them.
• Adversity is the way the great surgeon gives us a face-lift.
• God often digs wells of joy with the spade of sorrow and adversity.
• Tears are often the means by which we see God's rainbow of promises.
• When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade.
• You will never be the person God wants you to be, if afflictions, trials, and disciplines are taken out of your life.
• Afflictions are but the shadow of God's wings.
• No trouble can come so near that God is not nearer.
• Only God can change sunsets into sunrises.
• Adversity may sometimes get a Christian down, but only on his knees.
• Jesus spoke of Christianity as a banquet, but never as a picnic.
• God's grace enables us to ‘face the music' even when we don't like the tune.
• One reason that the school of Christ is so tough is that you get the test first and the lesson later.
• Sufferings are to spiritual maturity as the chisel is to sculpture.
• True achievers have made adversity their friend.
• The very same adversity can make one bitter and another better. A thoughtful and prayerful study on how to face adversity can change one's world.
• Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart || Heb 12:2-3
• If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him || 2 Tim 2:12
• And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me - to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong || 2 Cor 12:7-10
• The keenest sorrow is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities || Sophocles

TWO LIGHTS TO SHOW THE WAY

John Henry Jowett once told an insightful story that took place during his student days.He was once appointed to preach at Saddleworth where hee was entertained by a farmer.

Following the afternoon service he stayed at the farmer’s house until time for the evening train. As darkness fell, the quiet of the day turned into a stormy night. Soon the rutty roads were living streams. When the time for the train’s arrival neared, his host gave him a farm lantern, saying, ‘Just to help you to see where you are going, and to keep you out of the ditch.’ That of course, meant something, but he added something better.

‘Do you see that glimmer of light yonder?’ Jowett was asked. ‘No, where?’ was his answer. And then the farmer trained his eyes on the far-off gleam that appeared a mile away. ‘That is Saddleworth station, make for that,’ were his instructions. The two lights gave the young preacher what was needed. The lantern gave him light for his feet, and each step was clear. The glimmer in the distance gave him cheer and appointed the course of his journey. He had the light for the next step and guidance for the main

direction.

The Psalmist gives us a similar picture: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my

path || Psalm 119:05

THE DECK OF CARDS

This is a story about a soldier in the North Africa Campaign in World War II. After heavy fighting the men returned to camp. The next day being Sunday, the Chaplain had set up church service. The men were asked to take out their Bibles or prayer book. The Chaplain noticed one soldier looking at a deck of cards. After the service he was taken by the Chaplain to see the Major.

The Chaplain explained to the Major of what he had seen. The Major told the young soldier how he would have to be punished if he could not explain himself. The young soldier told the Major that during the battle he had neither a Bible or prayer book, so he would use his deck of cards, and explained:

* You see, Sir, when I look at the Ace, it tells me that there is one God and no other.

* When I see the 2 , it reminds me there is two parts of the Bible, the Old and New Testaments.

* The 3 tells me of the Trinity, of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

* The 4 reminds me of the four Gospels; There are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

* When I see the 5, it tells me of the five unwise virgins who were lost, and the five who were saved.

* The 6 makes me mindful that God created the earth in just six days, and God said that it was good. So He rested on the 7th day.

* As I look at the 8, I remembered that God destroyed all life by water except eight people. There were Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives.

* When I see the 9, I think of the nine ungrateful lepers that God healed. There were ten in all, but only one came back to thank Him.

* The 10 tells me of the "Ten Commandments" carved in stone by the hand of God.

* The Jack makes me remember the prince of darkness. Like a roaring lion, he devours those he can.

* When I look at the Queen, I see blessed Mary, mother of Jesus.

* As I look at the last card, I see the King. This reminds me Jesus is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings!

* There are 365 spots on the cards, the number of days in a year.

* There are 52 cards to a deck, the number of weeks in a year.

* There are 12 picture cards, the number of months in a year.

* There are 4 cards to a suit, the number of months in a quarter.

* There are 13 suits, the number of weeks in a quarter."

And so the young soldier then said to the Major, "You see, Sir, that my intentions were honorable. My deck of cards serves as my Bible, my Prayer book, and my Almanac."

THE TREASURE

The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.  "Oh please,  Mommy. Can I have them?  Please, Mommy, please!" 

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five.  That's almost $2.00! If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself.  Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp  dollar bill from Grandma." 

      As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents.  On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.  

       Jenny loved her pearls.  They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere--Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed.  

The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath.  Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.  

      Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story.  

     One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"  

     "Oh yes, Daddy.  You know that I love you."  

     "Then give me your pearls."  

     "Oh, Daddy, not my pearls.  But you can have Princess--the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail.  Remember, Daddy?  The one you gave me. She's my favorite."  

     "That's okay, Honey.  Daddy loves you.  Good night."  And he brushed her cheek with a kiss. 

     About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked  again, 

     "Do you love me?"  

     "Daddy, you know I love you."  

     "Then give me your pearls."  

     "Oh Daddy, not my pearls.   But you can have my babydoll. The brand new one I got for my birthday.  She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."  

     "That's okay.  Sleep well.  God bless you, little one.  Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.  

     A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style.  As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.  

     "What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"  

     Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy.  And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy.  It's for you."  

     With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.  

     He had had them al the time.  He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.  

     So like our Heavenly Father. 

     What are you hanging on to?

TOO SMALL TO TURN THE DOOR KNOB

A Methodist minister tells a pretty story of his little girl, who, wishing to speak to him one day when he was in his study, came up the stairs, and, finding the door closed, put her small hand on the door knob.

The child’s hand was too tiny to grasp the handle firmly enough to turn it. To her delight, however, the handle turned, the door opened, and she ran into the study, exclaiming: ‘Oh, Daddy, I have opened the door all by myself!’

She was all unaware that her father, hearing her trying to open the door, had quietly gotten up

from his chair and turned the handle from the inside.

Thus God helps us when we do our best, and he makes the impossible possible.

‘I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.’ 

REACHING THE HEART

Some years ago at a drawing-room function, one of England’s leading actors was asked to recite for the pleasure of his fellow guests. He consented and asked if there was anything special that his audience would like to hear.

After a moment’s pause an old clergyman present said ‘Could you sir, recite to us the Twenty-third Psalm?’

A strange look passed over the actor’s face; he paused for a moment, and then said, ‘I can, and I will, upon one condition; and that is that after I have recited it, you, my friend, will do the same.’

‘I?’ said the clergyman, in surprise. ‘But I am not an elocutionist. However, if you wish it, I will do so. Impressively, the great actor began the Psalm. His voice and his intonation were perfect. He held his audience spellbound; and as he finished, a great burst of applause broke from the guests.

Then, as it died away, the old clergyman arose and began the psalm. His voice was not remarkable; his intonation was not faultless. When he had finished, no sound of applause broke the silence, but there was not a dry eye in the room, and many heads were bowed.

Then the actor rose to his feet again. His voice shook as he laid his hand upon the shoulder of the old clergyman and said: ‘I reached your eyes and ears, my friends; he reached your hearts. The difference is just this - I know the Twenty-third Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd.’

SUNDAY INSPIRATION

God's grip doesn't slip.

There are two types of people in this world. The righteous and the unrighteous, and the righteous do the dividing.

I can't, He can, and I'm trusting Him.

The next time the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.

I have tried to keep things in my hands and lost them all, but what I have given into God's hands I still possess.

Give according to your income, lest God make your income according to your giving.

Do your giving while you're living so you're knowing where it's going.

It's not what you do with the million if fortune should ere be your lot, but what are you doing at present with the dollar and quarter you got.

The trouble is that too many people are spending money they haven't yet earned for things they don't need to impress people they don't like.

Captain Levy, a believer from Philadelphia, was once asked how he could give so much to the Lord's work and still possess great wealth.

The Captain replied, "Oh, as I shovel it out, He shovels it in, and the Lord has a bigger shovel."

The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian does make me a different kind of woman || Unknown

If Bible preaching rubs your fur the wrong way, turn the cat around.

Peter as long as he focused on Jesus walking on the water, he had faith. When he lost focus he lost his faith and his footing.

God will, is greater faith than God can.

Faith makes real the promises of God.

Some people change their ways when they see the light, others only when they feel the heat.

Lord grant that the fire of my heart may melt the lead in my feet.

Unfaithfulness burdens others:

~Eve burdened Adam.

~Lot burdened Abraham.

~Aaron burdened Moses.

~Achan burdened Joshua.

~Saul burdened Israel.

As a man grows wiser, he talks less and says more.

A wise man learns by the experience of others. An ordinary man learns by his own experience. A fool learns by nobody's experience.

We are engaged in the best of services, for the best of Masters and upon the best of terms.

WHAT IS A SEX SIN?

Father, what is sex sin?"

My father turned to look at me, as he always did when answering a question, but to my surprise he said nothing. At last he stood up, lifted his traveling case from the rack over our heads, and set it on the floor.

"Will you carry it off the train, Corrie?" he said. I stood up and tugged at it. It was crammed with the watches and spare parts he had purchased that morning.

"It's too heavy," I said.

"Yes," he said. "And it would be a pretty poor father who would ask his little girl to carry such a load. It's the same way, Corrie, with knowledge. Some knowledge is too heavy for children. When you are older and stronger you can bear it. For now you must trust me to carry it for you."

And I was satisfied. More than satisfied - wonderfully at peace. There were answers to this and all my hard questions - but now I was content to leave them in my father's keeping.

Corrie ten Boom in The Hiding Place

THE PREACHER'S WIFE

You may talk of the work of the greatest of man,
You may rave about statesmen and teachers;
You may tell all about their achievements, and then,
Let me tell you of the wives of the preachers.

No Martyr was ever more steadfast and true
No soldier was ever more brave;
She's a genius at home, she's a diplomat, too;
And the Best Mother God ever gave.

She has met disappointments with courage so high;
She has battled grim poverty, too.
With a smile on her face and a light in her eye,
And a hope each morning that's new.

She is often alone, but she'll never complain;
And she cheerfully stays by the stuff;
Knowing well that her loss is her dear Master's gain,
And His smile of approval's enough.

She never gets all the credit that's due,
For most of it goes to the preacher;
Few know of the faith and courage so true,
Of this gentle and wonderful creature.

There is coming a day when the whole world shall hear
From the lips of the Crucified One,
Her story in full, told in words sweet and clear,
Hear Him say to her softly, "well done."

And I think that when all of their labors are o'er,
And we know all their unselfish lives,
We'll honor more highly than ever before
The preachers' most wonderful wives.

DELIGHTFUL QUOTES OF PREACHER BILL REESE

Do right and wait on God. Don't push self. Wait on God's due time."

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"The most difficult thing we have to do as Christians is to learn to do things God's way."

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"Wait on the Lord for vengeance or vindication. It's our job to do right and leave the rest up to God. Be sweet."

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"Do well and in due season we shall reap if we faint not."

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"I've never know anybody to quit doing wrong when things go bad, but a lot of people want to quit doing good."

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"There are no accidents in God's economy. God's running the show."

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"You had better do what you do for God's glory, with the Lord, and because you love God."

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"Why don't you do NOW what you will wish you had done 100 years from now?"

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"When you are right with God - stay right with God."

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"Being successful in anything takes patience."

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"God never tries a man unless He has something better for him."

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"Circumstances ought not to control us, we should control circumstances."

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"Have you learned that God knows where you are?"

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"Don't feel sorry for Christians. God is a friend of sinners so He will surely take care of us."

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"Why does God allow difficulties? To teach us that God is never late and to teach us patience."

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"When we reach the point of human despair God can help us."

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"God doesn't pay off every Friday."

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"A friend of the world is not a friend of God."

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"A real friend loves you in spite of your faults."

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"A true friend knows all about you and still loves you."

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"A friend will be the same behind our back as to our face."

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"A friend is one who does something for you with no thought of getting something in return. Not to gain an advantage. Anything we do to gain an advantage is sin."

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"A man must show himself friendly to have friends."

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"A true friend is one that is concerned that we:

1-Stand right

2-Have right spirit

3-Strive together for the Faith

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"A friend will criticize you to your face and fight for you behind your back."

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"If we are a friend of God, we will be a friend of God's man."

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"Love does not kick a fellow when he's down."

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"Don't have 'I' trouble. Don't step on others. Thank others. Build others. Brag on another man's prosperity."

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"We ought to tell the good and cover up and forget the bad about others."

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"Stay away from those who criticize. Keep company with the positive crowd."

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"Our security should not be in our jobs or in our friends."

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"You never elevate yourself by stepping on others."

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"Hob nob with everyone, not just the upper crust."

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"A friend will bear our burden and not want to know the circumstances."

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"We are not just to help others that can help us."

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"Brag on and be glad for the success of others."

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"Train your children to do right and let God take care of the rest."

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"Children are like arrows. There are two things to do in shooting an arrow:

1-Putting the tip of the arrow on the target.

2-The correct release."

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"We need humility and wisdom to rear our children."

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"Listen to your children. Be consistent. Discipline them the right way. Be there when they need you. Develop them and help them meet their goals."

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"The rod is mentioned 8 times in Proverbs. Tongue lashings do no good. If you discipline your children and delight in them they will turn our good. If you delight in your children, tell them."

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"Be Sensitive to each child. Do not try to fit them into a mold."

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"Jot down your child's interests and characteristics."

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"Major on the positive things not the negative things."

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"What the wife wants most is the heart of her husband, not his gifts. That's the way God is too."

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"Your attitude toward your wife reflects how you love the Lord."

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"If you are going to rear a good child, you must spend a lot of time with them."

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"Do not build your life around the child. The relationship between husband and wife should be stronger than that between the parent and child."

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"Mothers and Dads, by the grace of God, train your children for God to love and serve Him aright."

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“The world hates a Jew because he can make more money by accident than a gentile can make on purpose.”

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“Jerusalem has been overrun 21 times, and it will be overrun one more time.”

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“When the rich gets richer, they put more money into the economy.”

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“You don’t build a church, you grow one.”

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“God’s love is just as great as His wrath.”

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“The United Nations wants to tell us what to do as a nation, and wants us to pay the bill.”

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“The world does not have the answers to Biblical questions.”

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“Reasonable people can usually come to a reasonable conclusion.”

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“I’m a nut, but at least I’m on the right Bolt.”

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“I may have a crack in my head, but thank God that’s how the Light came in.”

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“There has always been a fight over the Authority of the Bible.”

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“All wars are fought over two things: Money and Authority.”

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“God never puts you in a furnace that he doesn’t have something better for you planned.”

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“Do what’s right, not what’s popular.”

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“Humility is not something you can see, but sense.”

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“Humility is simply not forgetting where you came from, and who you are-a sinner saved by grace.”

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“The world’s agenda is to make America a heathen nation, and were right on track.”

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“I wouldn’t have a dog that didn’t bark, and I would kill a dog that barked at nothing.”

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“Pride is the ruination of young people.”

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"It's just as wrong to have God's tithe in your pocket, as it is to have another man's wife in your arms."

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"A pastor needs to be a pastor."

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"It's better to have not known than to know and not do it."

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"When God takes us to the woodshed, there’s blood shed."

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"There is nothing wrong with wanting to quit, only when you do quit."

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"You’re no better than what it takes to stop you."

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"I've never gotten tired of the way, only tired in the way."

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"Your salvation is not an accident."

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"I've been saved too long to be lost."

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"I don't believe God pays attention to marriages before salvation. I believe the starting line for every Christian begins when he is saved."

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