LIFE'S STRUGGLES

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A man found a cocoon of an emperor moth. He took it home so that he could watch the moth come out of the cocoon. On the day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the moth for several hours as the moth struggled to force the body through that little hole.

The moth seemed to be stuck and appeared to have stopped making progress. It seemed as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. The man, in his kindness, decided to help the moth; so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The moth then emerged easily. But its body was swollen and small, its wings wrinkled and shriveled.

The man continued to watch the moth because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to and able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a small, swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. The man in his kindness and haste did not understand that the struggle required for the moth to get through the tiny opening was necessary to force fluid from the body of the moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight upon achieving its freedom from the cocoon. Freedom and flight would only come after the struggle. By depriving the moth of a struggle, he deprived the moth of health.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If we were to go through our life without any obstacles, we would be crippled. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. Give every opportunity a chance, leave no room for regrets, and don't forget the power in the struggle.

GOD'S WORD TRANSLATION

I was looking for a Bible translation that’s clear and easy to understand when I came across GOD’S WORD Translation (GW). At first I was skeptical but as I browsed through a few pages I realized that it was a translation that every student of the Bible can depend on – from the original languages to their closest natural English equivalent.

Produced by God’s Word to the Nations Mission Society, GW consciously combines scholarly fidelity with natural English.

The Rev. Billy Graham, one of the greatest preachers of the 20th century has this to say about GW: "GOD'S WORD is an easy-to-understand Bible translation....It is a wonderful version."

GOD'S WORD Translation (GW) accurately translates the meaning of the original texts into clear, everyday language. Readable and reliable, GW is living, active, and life-changing. It is ideally suited for devotional reading, in-depth study, memorization, discipleship, preaching, teaching, and worship.

The thinline edition features a special format. Books that are primarily prose are presented in two columns to create shorter, easier-to-read lines, while books that are primarily poetry are single-column to preserve parallelism, a key element of Hebrew poetry.

The thinline edition also offers these great features:
Convenient, portable size
Daily reading plan
Fast Track reading plan
Black-letter text
Ribbon marker
Presentation page
Translation and textual notes
Dictionary/Concordance
The Teachings of Jesus index
Application index

What I particularly appreciate is the inclusion of the Bible Study Helps – The Teachings of Jesus, Dictionary/Concordance and Reading Plans – at the end. It makes the Bible more useful.

Price: $24.99
ISBN: 978-0-8010-1360-7
ISBN-10: 0-8010-1360-7
Dimensions: 5.375 x 8.25
Number of pages: 1,216
Publication Date: Oct. 10
Formats: Bonded leather

I received a copy of GW Thinline Bible from Baker Publishing Group and was not required to give a positive review.

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED

Photo: Source Unknown

I've learned that I like my teacher because she cries when we sing "Silent Night"
Age 6

I've learned that our dog doesn't want to eat my broccoli either.
Age 7

I've learned that when I wave to people in the country, they stop what they are doing and wave back.
Age 9

I've learned that just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom makes me clean it up again.
Age 12

I've learned that if you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering someone else up.
Age 14

I've learned that although it's hard to admit it, I'm secretly glad my parents are strict with me.
Age 15

I've learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice.
Age 24

I've learned that brushing my child's hair is one of life's great pleasures.
Age 26

I've learned that wherever I go, the world's worst drivers have followed me there.
Age 29

I've learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it.
Age 39

I've learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it.
Age 42

I've learned that you can make some one's day by simply sending them a little note.
Age 44

I've learned that the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his or her need to cast blame on others.
Age 46

I've learned that children and grandparents are natural allies.
Age 47

I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
Age 48

'I've learned that singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours.
Age 49

I've learned that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone.
Age 50

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
Age 52

I've learned that keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine cabinet full of pills.
Age 52

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you miss them terribly after they die.
Age 53

I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.
Age 58

I've learned that if you want to do something positive for your children, work to improve your marriage.
Age 61

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
Age 62

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
Age 64

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
Age 65

I've learned that whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision.
Age 66

I've learned that when I have a tough decision to make, all I have to do is remember what my Mom always said "do your best and the reward will justify"
Age 67

I've learned that everyone can use a prayer.
Age 72

I've learned that it pays to believe in miracles. And to tell the truth, I've seen several.
Age 75

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
Age 82

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch - holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
Age 85

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
Age 92

I've learned that you should pass this on to someone you care about. Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile.

OLD WEST JUSTICE

A man in the Old West was being tried for stealing a horse. You need to remember that stealing a horse in the Old West was a very grave and serious offense. A person could be hanged if found guilty of such a deed.

It so happened that a man whose horse had been stolen had always made it a point to get the best of any person with whom he had any dealings. He had never tried to do anything good for anyone other than himself. Consequently, the man whose horse had been stolen didn't have a single friend in the entire town. The case was tried and presented to the jury.

The evidence against the accused man was pretty strong. After about thirty minutes of deliberation, the jury returned to the court chambers. "Gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?" the judge asked. The chairman of the jury stood up. "Yes we have, your honor," he replied. "What is your verdict?" inquired the judge. There were a few moments of silence and then the chairman spoke. "We find the defendant not guilty if he will return the horse."

After the judge had silenced the laughter in the courtroom, he admonished the jury. "I cannot accept that verdict. You will have to retire until you reach another verdict," said the judge. The jury went back into their room to deliberate toward another verdict. No member of the jury had any particular liking for the man whose horse had been stolen. At one time or another, he had gotten the best of each of them. About an hour passed before the jury could reach another verdict. They re-entered the courtroom. They took their place in the jury box and the courtroom grew silent.

"Gentlemen of the jury," began the judge, "have you reached a verdict?" The chairman of the jury stood up. "Yes, we have, your honor," he replied. "What is your verdict?" asked the judge.

The courtroom was totally silent. You could have heard a pin drop. Everyone eagerly awaited the verdict. The chairman read the decision reached by the twelve good men, tried and true. "We find the defendant not guilty, and he can keep the horse!".

THE HOUSE WITH THE GOLDEN WINDOWS

The little girl lived in a small, very simple, poor house on a hill and as she grew she would play in the small garden and as she grew she was able to see over the garden fence and across the valley to a wonderful house high on the hill - and this house had golden windows, so golden and shining that the little girl would dream of how magic it would be to grow up and live in a house with golden windows instead of an ordinary house like hers.

And although she loved her parents and her family, she yearned to live in such a golden house and dreamed all day about how wonderful and exciting it must feel to live there.

When she got to an age where she gained enough skill and sensibility to go outside her garden fence, she asked her mother if she could go for a bike ride outside the gate and down the lane. After pleading with her, her mother finally allowed her to go, insisting that she kept close to the house and didn't wander too far. The day was beautiful and the little girl knew exactly where she was heading! Down the lane and across the valley, she rode her bike until she got to the gate of the golden house across on the other hill.

As she dismounted her bike and lent it against the gate post, she focused on the path that lead to the house and then on the house itself...and was so disappointed as she realised all the windows were plain and rather dirty, reflecting nothing other than the sad neglect of the house that stood derelict.

So sad she didn't go any further and turned, heart broken as she remounted her bike... As she glanced up she saw a sight to amaze her...there across the way on her side of the valley was a little house and its windows glistened golden...as the sun shone on her little home.

She realised that she had been living in her golden house and all the love and care she found there was what made her home the 'golden house'. Everything she dreamed of was right there in front of her nose!

INSPIRING QUOTES: KEYS TO THE HEART

Photo: Unknown

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children… to leave the world a better place… to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.  This is to have succeeded || Ralph Waldo Emerson

Not all those who wander are lost || J.R.R. Tolkien

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek || Joseph Campbell

The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences || Eleanor Roosevelt

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all || Dale Carnegie

A diamond is a piece of charcoal that handled stress incredibly well || Unknown

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens || Jimi Hendrix

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are || E.E. Cummings

Remember, happiness doesn’t depend upon who you are or what you have, it depends solely upon what you think || Dale Carnegie

Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure || Paulo Coelho

Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward || C.S. Lewis

We can always choose to perceive things differently. We can focus on what’s wrong in our life, or we can focus on what’s right || Marianne Williamson

There is no growth in your comfort zone, and no comfort in your growth zone || Unknown

Education is, quite simply, peace-building by another name. It is the most effective form of defense spending there is || Kofi Annan

When the student is ready the teacher will appear || Unknown

Don’t climb the ladder of success only to find it is leaning against the wrong wall || Dr. Bernie Siegel

Good things are coming down the road.  Just don’t stop walking || Unknown

It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life… that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself || Ralph Waldo Emerson

Live your life from your heart. Share from your heart. And your story will touch and heal people’s souls || Melody Beattie

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same || Marianne Williamson

Sometimes life knocks you on your ass… get up, get up, get up!!! Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them || Steve Maraboli

However long the night, the dawn will break || African Proverb

THE STUDENTS' BEATITUDE

Blessed are the students who stay in touch with God during their academic life,

they will always have a friend by their side.

Blessed are the students who study and go to all their classes,

they will become educated.

Blessed are the students who get involved in extracurricular activities,

they usually develop into well-balanced people.

Blessed are the students who volunteer to help others,

they will deepen their capacity to love.

Blessed are the students who keep away from drugs, alcohol and other dangerous activity,

they are least likely to get into trouble.

Blessed are the students who pray about and think through important decisions,

they will probably do God’s will.

Blessed are the students who keep in touch with family and friends,

they will have a good support system.

Blessed are the students who take time to discover their gifts and use them to better the world,

they will develop into mature Christians.

THE TEACHER'S BEATITUDE

BLESSED ARE THE TEACHERS WHO LOVE GOD,

for their students shall not be ignorant of their Creator and His plans concerning them.

BLESSED ARE THE TEACHERS WHO LOVE THE WORD OF GOD,

for their students shall know of the Way, the Truth and the Life.

BLESSED ARE THE TEACHERS WHO LOVE THE HOUSE OF GOD,

for they shall encourage their students to feel likewise.

BLESSED ARE THE TEACHERS WHO LOVE TO PRAY,

for their students shall feel the power of prayer and many shall find salvation.

BLESSED ARE THE TEACHERS WHO LOVE TO GIVE TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST,

for they shall be an example.

BLESSED ARE THE TEACHERS WHO LOVE THE FAMILY ALTAR,

for they shall have their reward in this world and in the world to come.

BLESSED ARE THE TEACHERS WHO LOVE TO SPEAK KIND WORDS TO VISITING STUDENTS,

for thereby they win other boys and girls as well as their own students to Jesus Christ.

BLESSED ARE THE TEACHERS WHO LOVE TO BE COMPANIONS TO THEIR STUDENTS,

for they shall be called UNDERSTANDING.

BLESSED ARE THE TEACHERS WHO SPEND MUCH TIME IN LESSON PREPARATION,

for they shall grow even as they teach.

BLESSED ARE YE WHEN TIME SHALL BE SHORT, AND STUDENTS UNRULY,

for the Holy Spirit can still work in lives.

REJOICE, AND BE EXCEEDINGLY GLAD, FOR GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN,

for other teachers have faced the problems you have before you.

THE MEXICAN FISHERMAN

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The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.

Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna.

The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.”

The American then asked, “Why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?”

The Mexican said, “With this I have more than enough to support my family’s needs.”

The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat: With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor; eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles and eventually New York where you will run your ever-expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15 to 20 years.”

“But what then?” asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said that’s the best part. “When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”

“Millions?…Then what?”

The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos…”

A PRAYER FOR HOPE

Heavenly father, I am your humble servant,

I come before you today in need of hope.

There are times when I fell helpless,

There are times when I feel weak.

I pray for hope.

I need hope for a better future.

I need hope for a better life.

I need hope for love and kindness.

Some say that the sky is at it’s

darkest just before the light.

I pray that this is true, for all seems dark.

I need your light, Lord, in every way.

I pray to be filled with your light from

head to toe. To bask in your glory.

To know that all is right in the world,

as you have planned, and as you want

it to be.

Help me to walk in your light, and live

my life in faith and glory.

In your name I pray, Amen!

Prayers for special help!

7 GREAT QUOTES ABOUT FATHERS

It is a wise father that knows his own child || William Shakespeare

That is the thankless position of the father in the family-the provider for all, and the enemy of all || J. August Strindberg

Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance || Ruth E. Renkel

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years || Mark Twain

I've had a hard life, but my hardships are nothing against the hardships that my father went through in order to get me to where I started ||  Bertrand Hubbard

I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection || Sigmund Freud

Lucky that man whose children make his happiness in life and not his grief, the anguished disappointment of his hopes || Euripedes

25 FATHER'S DAY QUOTES

Once, God gave me the greatest gift ever. I call that gift: Dad || Kurt Avish

A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society || Billy Graham

One night a father overheard his son pray: “Dear God, Make me the kind of man my Daddy is!” Later that night, the Father prayed, “Dear God, Make me the kind of man my son wants me to be” || Unknown

By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong || Charles Wadsworth

             

The father who loves his children will not substitute toys for time, replace commendation

with condemnation but will be their teacher not taskmaster || R. Robert Flatt

An effective father devotes himself to become an instrument and model of human experience to his children...accepts and affirms his children for who they are, appreciates them for what they are accomplishing, and covers them with affection because they are his || Gordon MacDonald

To be in your children's memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today || Barbara Johnson

 A father is a fellow who has replaced the currency in his wallet with the snapshots of his kids || Unknown

When God measures a man, He puts the tape around the heart instead of the head || Unknown

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: He believed in me || Jim Valvano

The test of man's faith is not in what he believes but what manner of man, what manner of husband and what manner of father he becomes as a result || R. Robert Flatt

                                                                             

It is a wise father that knows his own child || William Shakespeare

The footsteps a child follows are most likely to be the ones his parents thought they had covered up || Unknown

A father is a banker provided by nature || Proverb

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard.

Mother would come out and say, 'You’re tearing up the grass.'

'We’re not raising grass,' Dad would reply. 'We’re raising boys.'

|| Harmon Killebrew

A man knows he is growing old because he begins to look like his father || Gabriel Garcia Marquez

              

My father always wanted to be the corpse at every funeral, the bride at every wedding, and the baby at every christening || Alice Roosevelt Longworth

My Dad is a mender of toys, a leader of boys; changer of fuses,

a healer of bruises; a mover of couches, a healer of ouches;

a hanger of screens, a counselor of teens; a pounder of nails,

a teller of tales; a dryer of dishes, a fulfiller of wishes.

|| JoAnn Heid

             

One father is enough to govern one hundred sons, but not a hundred sons one father || George Herbert

             

A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again || Enid Bagnold

It is a wise child that knows his own father || Homer

                                                                               

There is no principle of parental government more important than that a father should command his own temper when he inflicts punishment. He should punish a child not because he is angry, but because it is right; not because it has become a matter of personal contest, but because God requires that he should do it, and the welfare of the child demands it || Albert Barnes

A father's words are like a thermostat that sets the temperature in the house || Paul Lewis

Honour thy father and thy mother' stands written among the three laws of most revered righteousness || Aeschylus

Every mother generally hopes that her daughter will snag a better husband than she managed to do...but she's certain that her boy will never get as great a wife as his father did || Anonymous

-from ScrapBlog

A CHECKBOOK’S BEATITUDE

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Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for they only spend what they have.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will invest prudently.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for the bill for their party will be reasonable.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for their money makes everyone's life better.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be forgiven as they forgive the debts of others.

Blessed are the pure of heart,

for they look past the clothes to the man inside.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for peace costs less than war.

Blessed are the persecuted,

for the culture of selfishness doesn’t recognize them.

PROMISE YOURSELF

Photo: katie rivers

To be so strong that nothing

can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity

to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel

that there is something in them

To look at the sunny side of everything

and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,

and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others

as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past

and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times

and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself

that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,

and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,

not in loud words but great deeds.

To live in faith that the whole world is on your side

so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

― Christian D. Larson

THE CHURCH I KNOW

If this is not a place where tears are understood,

Where do I go to cry?

If this is not a place where my questions can be asked,

Where do I seek?

If this is not a place where my spirit can take wing,

Where do I go to fly?

If this is not a place where my feelings can be heard,

Where do I go to speak?

If this is not a place where you'll accept me as I am,

Where do I go to be?

If this is not a place where I can learn and grow,

Where can I be just me?

That's the church I know.

Joining the church will not save but the saved will join the church || Rick Scarbough

CHARACTER - WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT

Photo: Katie Rivers

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better. I'd really like for them to know about hand-me down clothes and home-made ice-cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated. I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep. I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in, I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him. I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely. On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks from school so you won't be seen with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one. I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books. When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head. I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole. I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle. May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays. I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard times and happiness. To me, it’s the only way to appreciate life.

by Paul Harvey

A PARENT’S BEATITUDE

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Blessed are those parents who make their peace with spilled milk and with mud, for of such is the kingdom of childhood.

Blessed is the parent who engages not in the comparison of his child with others, for precious unto each is the rhythm of his own growth.

Blessed are the fathers and mothers who have learned laughter, for it is the music of the child’s world.

Blessed and wise are those parents who understand the goodness of time, for they make it not a sword that kills growth but a shield to protect.

Blessed and mature are they who without anger can say "no", for comforting to the child is the security of firm decisions.

Blessed is the gift of consistency, for it is heart’s-ease in childhood.

Blessed are they who accept the awkwardness of growth, for they are aware of the choice between marred furnishings and damaged personalities.

Blessed are the teachable, for knowledge brings understanding, and understanding brings love.

Blessed are the men and women who in the midst of the unpromising mundane, give love, for they bestow the greatest of all gifts to each other, to their children, and in an ever-widening circle, to their fellow men.

FOREVER FRIEND

Photo: Unknown Source

Sometimes in life, you find a special friend. Someone who changes your life just by being part of it. Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop. Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world. Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it. This is forever friendship.

When you're down and the world seems dark and empty, your forever friend lifts you up in spirit and makes that dark and empty world suddenly seem bright and full. Your forever friend gets you through the hard times, the sad times an dthe confused times.

If you turn and walk away, your forever friend follows. If you lose your way, your forever friend guides you and cheers you on. Your forever friend hold your hand and tells you that everything is going to be okay.

And if you find such a friend, you feel happy and complete because you need not worry.

You have a forever friend, and forever has no end!

TODAY'S INSPIRING QUOTES

Photo by David Linscheid

The life of faith is a daily exploration of the constant and countless ways in which Gods grace and love are experienced || Eugene Peterson

Discipleship is a daily discipline; we follow Jesus a step at a time, a day at a time || Warren Wiersbe

In our faith we follow in someone's steps. In our faith we leave footprints to guide others. It's the principle of discipleship || Max Lucado

We must live in all kinds of days, both high days and low days, in simple dependence upon Christ as the branch on the vine. This is the supreme experience || Vance Havner

Once we recognize our need for Jesus, then the building of our faith begins. It is a daily, moment-by-moment life of absolute dependence upon Him for everything || Catherine Marshall

Make a plan now to keep a daily appointment with God. The enemy is going to tell you to set it aside, but you must carve out the time. If you're too busy to meet with the Lord, friend, then you are simply too busy || Charles Swindoll

It is a great deal better to live a holy life than to talk about it. Lighthouses do not ring bells and fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine || D.L. Moody

Our walk counts far more than our talk, always || George Mueller

Nothing speaks louder or more powerfully than a life of integrity || Charles Swindoll

We must mirror God's love in the midst of a world full of hatred. We are the mirrrors of God's love, so we may show Jesus by our lives || Corrie ten Boom

For one man who can introduce another to Jesus Christ by the way he lives and by the atmosphere of his life, there are a thousand who can only talk jargon about him || Oswald Chambers

You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips || Oliver Goldsmith

We are only fully alive when we're helping others || Rick Warren

Holy service in constant fellowship with God is heaven below || Charles  H Spurgeon

Without God, we cannot. Without us, God will not ||  St Augustine

Carve your name on hearts, not on marble || Charles  H Spurgeon

Have thy tools ready; God will find thee work || Charles Kingsley

Happiness consists in giving and in service others || Henry Drummond

It's incredible to realize that what we do each day has meaning in the big picture of God's plan || Bill Hybel

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN GOD SPEAKS TO YOU?

A young man had been to Wednesday night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God still speak to people?"

After service he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways. It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home.

Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, "God, if you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey."

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought, stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, "God is that you?" He didn't get a reply and started on toward home.

But again, the thought: buy a gallon of milk.

The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli. "Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk."

It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home. As he passed Seventh street, he again felt the urge, "Turn down that street."

This is crazy he thought and drove on past the intersection.

Again, he felt that he should turn down seventh street.

At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh.

Half jokingly, he said out loud, "Okay, God, I will." He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi-commercial area of town.

It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed something, "Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street."

The young man looked at the house.

It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat. "Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid."

Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk.

Finally, he opened the door, "Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here."

He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, "Who is it? What do you want?"

Then the door opened before the young man could get away. The man was standing there in his jeans and t-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. "What is it?" The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, "Here, I brought this to you."

The man took the milk and rushed down a hall way speaking loudly in Spanish. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen.

The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking and half crying, "We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk."

His wife in the kitchen yelled out, "I ask him to send an Angel with some...Are you an Angel?"

The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that God still answers prayers and that God still speaks to His people.

God talks to us daily! We are to be in obedience unto the functioning of the Holy Spirit. When God speaks to your heart of hearts, obey, for in your sacrifice of obedience, God rewards you bountifully!

Praise God, for every opportunity to be used of Him, for He is faithful to answers prayers of those who seek Him.