A Christian's Possessions

A tax officer came one day to a poor Christian to determine the amount of taxes he would have to pay.

The following conversation took place:

"What property do you possess?" asked the assessor.

"I am a very wealthy man," replied the Christian.

"List your possessions, please," the assessor instructed.

The Christian replied:

First, I have everlasting life, John 3:16

Second, I have a mansion in heaven, John 14:2

Third, I have a perfect conscience and peace that passes all understanding, Philippians 4:7

Fourth, I have joy unspeakable, 1 Peter 1:8

Fifth, I have divine love which never fails, 1 Corinthians 13:8

Sixth, I have a faithful wife, Proverbs 31:10

Seventh, I have healthy, happy obedient children, Exodus 20:12

Eighth, I have true, loyal friends, Proverbs 18:24

Ninth, I have songs in the night, Psalms 42:8

Tenth, I have a crown of life, James 1:12"

The tax assessor closed his book, and said, "Truly you are a very rich man, but your property is not subject to taxation."

I pray that all of us will have this kind of tax free "wealth."

The value of a mother and father

Image: www.shutterstock.com

One who loves till her eyes close, is a Mother.
One who loves without an expression in the eyes, is a Father.
 
Your mother introduces you to the world.
Your father introduces the world to you.

Mother gives you life.
Father gives you living.

Mother makes sure you are not starving.
Father makes sure you know the value of starving.

A mother personifies care.
A father personifies responsibility.

Mother protects you from a fall.
Father teaches you to get up from a fall.

Mother teaches you walking.
Father teaches you the walk of life.

Mother teaches from her own experiences.
Father teaches you to learn from your own experiences.
Mother reflects ideology.
Father reflects reality.

Mother's love is known to you since birth.
Father's love is known when you become a Father.

Enjoy what your father says.
Keep loving your mother.

THE DIFFERENCE

Source: Unknown

Winners say, If it is to be, it is up to me.
Losers say, I can't help it.

Winners translate dreams into reality.
Losers translate reality into dreams.

Winners empower.
Losers control.

Winners say, Let's find out.
Losers say, Nobody knows.

Winners are part of the solution.
Losers are part of the problem.

Winners are not afraid of losing.
Losers are afraid of winning.

Winners work harder than losers.
Losers are always too busy.

Winners say, I was wrong.
Losers say, It was not my fault.

Winners want to.
Losers have to.

Winners always make time.
Losers often waste time.

Winners say, I'll plan to do that.
Losers say, I'll try to do that.

Winners say, I'm good but not as good as I can be.
Losers say, I'm not as bad as a lot of other people.

Winners listen to what others say.
Losers wait until it's their turn to talk.

Winners catch others doing things right.
Losers catch others doing things wrong.

Winners learn from others.
Losers resent their colleagues.

Winners see opportunities.
Losers see only the problems.

Winners do it.
Losers talk about it.

Winners feel responsible for more than their jobs.
Losers frequently state, I only work here.

Winners say, There ought to be a better way.
Losers say, That's the way it's always been done.

Winners celebrate others.
Losers complain about others.

Winners are willing to pay the price.
Losers expect it on a silver platter.

Winners always expect success.
Losers always expect failure.

EIGHT FRIENDSHIP GIFTS

Source: Unknown

THE GIFT OF LISTENING...

But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.

THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...

Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...

Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...

It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...

A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...

Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...

There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...

The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.

Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.

MAKING SENSE OF THE LOOSE ENDS OF LIFE

Photo: Barbara G

Almost a week ago, as I was about to go to bed, my lips unconsciously opened and my heart chimed to the tune of a poem/song written/sung by an unknown author which I learned long ago. “My life is but a weaving” has many versions to it but the one that I’m most familiar with was taught to us by our young teacher who was also a good soloist.

More than a quarter of a century of my life has flowed into the tomb of time since that moment in time long ago but the message remains as fresh as that day when I first heard it.

My life is but a weaving

Between the Lord and me

I do not choose the colors

He worketh steadily.

Oftimes he weaveth sorrow

And I in foolish pride

Forget he sees the upper

And I the underside.

The dark threads are as needful

In the Weaver’s skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned.

Not till the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly

Will God unroll the canvas

And explain the reason why.

We may have lost hope in the middle of our life stories, and we don’t know the endings yet. But it will all make sense on the other side, someday. Is God weaving your life story?

MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL: TOWARD MORNING

Sometimes when I wake up early in the morning before it is light, I hear my baby talking in his crib. If I rise upon my elbow very gently so that he will not see me, I can see him there in the dim light, dark eyes with his fat hands clasped together or patting one another. All the while he makes those tender, inarticulate sounds in his own language.

To whom is he speaking in the dark, toward morning? He is still so near Heaven, this little one - is he talking in the language of the angels to some visitor invisible to me, but seen by his pure eyes? Is he making a report of his day’s events, his own progress, or asking after the welfare of others he loves in the land he left so short a time ago?

Perhaps the angel who cared for him comes in that holy hour, to sit with and love him yet awhile...t-o-w-a-r-d m-o-r-n-i-n-g

|| Unknown

MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL: AS I LOOK BACK

As I look back on my life

I find myself wondering.....

Did I remember to thank you

for all that you have done for me?

For all of the times you were by my side

to help me celebrate my successes

and accept my defeats?

Or for teaching me the value of hard work,

good judgement, courage, and honesty?

I wonder if I've ever thanked you for the simple things...

The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared?

If I have forgotten to express my gratitude

For any of these things,

I am thanking you now....

and I am hoping that you've known all along,

how very much you are loved and appreciated.

|| Unknown

Hundreds of stars in the pretty sky,

Hundreds of shells on the shore together,

Hundreds of birds that go singing by,

Hundreds of birds in the sunny weather.

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,

Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,

Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,

But only one mother the wide world over.

|| Unknown

MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL: WHAT IS A MOTHER?

A Mother has so many things to do,

From washing, ironing, cleaning to tying a shoe.

She scrubs, she mends, she cooks and sews,

She bathes the children and washes their clothes.

When they forget to wash their faces clean,

And their clothes are the muddiest you've ever seen,

Who repairs the clothes and scrubs them like new?

Of course, that is what a Mother will do.

Who becomes the doctor or the nurse when they are ill,

Applying a bandage or giving them a pill?

Who becomes a teacher when a child has homework?

She must never her duty shirk.

Who becomes a detective to find a toy or a book?

For missing things she must look and look?

Who becomes a list’ner to every heartache,

To every accomplishment that a child makes?

Who scolds their children when they are naughty,

Or remind them of God when they are to haughty?

Who tends her family with love and patience, too?

Of course that is what a Mother will do.

|| Unknown

HANDLE WITH CARE

Part I

Some people use their Bibles as repositories for all manner of things. Many women keep dead flowers in them. Do you suppose it is because they know that those precious flowers will not be disturbed in that Book, and that they will be safe there from damage? Let them find books of philosophy and therein keep their flowers. But let every Bible be so heavily used that nothing is safe in it except its reader’s heart and
mind.

Some people like the soft feel of a genuine leather binding, and will use their Bibles as coasters for their Sunday afternoon beers, or sit an ashtray upon them because the textured surface keeps it from slipping and sliding around. Others display them proudly on their coffee tables, so that their friends and neighbors will know that they are reverent, but then they will scream at their children for touching them.

Many Bibles are so overstuffed with papers and cards and old church bulletins and notes and the occasional pencil, with pictures of the grandkids and newspaper clippings, funeral and wedding announcements, that you just know those people couldn’t possibly be actually sitting down and reading those books.

More often than not, Bibles are found at the bottoms of stacks of other books. Far too often does the preacher hear, “Well, I know it’s around here somewhere…” Every Christian should know, not where his Bible is, but where his Bibles are.


Part II

Occasionally you walk into someone’s home and you see a well-cared for Bible, yet it is so worn from heavy use that the color of its cover has faded. Raw leather shows at the corners, yet its pages are neither torn nor wrinkled.

If you should walk into someone’s home and see such a Bible, pick it up and open it — carefully, please. In it you will find many notes, written in small letters so that there is room for more. You will find whole passages marked, rather than the single verses that we’ve all been taught to memorize in our youth. You will never find anything else lying atop that Bible, except perhaps a pair of glasses.


Now, that person will not have the distracted look of a harried person, but the peaceful gaze of a contented soul. There will be joy in his or her eyes that fairly sparkles with vibrant electricity. The merest glance will tell you that here is a person at peace with himself and at peace with the world. Most of all, at peace with God.

Imagine, just a single glance at a well-worn Bible will establish in your heart a connection with that person faster than any other thing.

Let your Bibles become the most highly-prized treasures in your home. Let them be treated with the careful attention that the Word of God deserves. Handle them with great care, but handle them often.

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED

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.

LIFE IS A 'DO-IT-YOURSELF' PROJECT

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family.

He would miss the paycheck, but he wanted to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."

What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.

So it is with us. If we build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized that we would have done it differently.

Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely.

It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity.

The plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project."

Your attitudes and the choices you make today will be your life tomorrow, build it wisely.

THE ROAD OF LIFE

At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him. 

But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. 

  

I don't know just when it was that he suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable... It was the shortest distance between two points.  

 

But when He took the lead, He knows the delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" 

                                                                                      

I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine.

And we're off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust him at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but he knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ. 

And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, He just smiles and says...."Pedal."

ONLY ONE DAY - A THOUGHT FOR THE NEW YEAR

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One of these days is yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed. We cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone!!

The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow, with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and poor performance. Tomorrow is beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow's sun will rise, whether in splendor or behind a mask of clouds. But it will rise. Until it does we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.

This leaves only one day: today.

Any man can fight the battles of just one day. It is when you and I add the burdens of two awful eternities - yesterday and tomorrow, that we break down.

It is not necessarily the experience of today that disturbs one's peace of mind. It is oftentime the bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.

Let us therefore live one day at a time.

MUD PUDDLES

When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money, and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them, and they smile back.

When I hear music I love, I know I can’t carry a tune and don’t have much rhythm, so I sit self-consciously and listen. My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don’t know them, they make up their own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray, I say “Thee” and “Thou” and grant me this, give me that. My kids say, “Hi, God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don’t want to go to heaven yet. I would miss my mommy and daddy.”

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children! Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

THE GOOSE LESSON

The next time you see geese heading south for the winter, flying along in a “V” formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following.

By flying in a “V” formation, as a group, the flock adds at least seventy-two percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily, because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance trying to go it alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.

If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are.

When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing, and another goose flies point.

It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, with people or with geese flying south.

Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Finally — and this is important — when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshots and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their

own, or with another formation, to catch up to their original group.        

If we have the sense of a goose, we can more easily recognize the potential benefits of collaboration, solidarity and brotherhood to keep each other strong.

We need each other!

GOD WON'T ASK....

What kind of car you drove, but will ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.

The square footage of your house, but will ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

How many fancy clothes you had in your closet, but will ask how many of those clothes helped the needy.

About your social status, but will ask what kind of class you displayed.

How many material possessions you had, but will ask if they dictated your life.

What your highest salary was, but will ask if you compromised your character to obtain that salary.

How much overtime you worked, but will ask if you worked overtime for your family and loved ones.

How many promotions you received, but will ask how you promoted others.

What your job title was, but will ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

What you did to help yourself, but will ask what you did to help others.

How many friends you had, but will ask how many people to whom you were a true friend.

What you did to protect your rights, but will ask what you did to protect the rights of others.

In what neighborhood you lived, but will ask how you treated your neighbors.

About the color of your skin, but will ask about the content of your character.

How many times your deeds matched your words, but will ask how many times they didn’t.

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION

During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz..

I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank..

Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

“Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say ‘hello’.”

I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy…

ISN'T IT STRANGE?

Isn’t it strange how a $100 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to the church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn’t it strange how endless an hour seems when we are serving God, but how short it is when we watch a Football game for 60 minutes?

Isn’t it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you’re at the church and how short they seem when you’re watching a good movie?

Isn’t it strange that you can’t find things to say when you’re praying, but you have no trouble on thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn’t it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

Isn’t it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in the church?

Isn’t it strange how we need to know about an event for the church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?

Isn’t it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?

Isn’t it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bible?

Isn’t it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven, but they don’t want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

Isn’t it strange how we send jokes in e-mails and they are fowarded right away, but when we are going to send messages about God, we think about it twice before we share it with others?

IT’S STRANGE, ISN’T IT?

Are you laughing?

Are you thinking about it?

Spread the word, and thank God, because He loves you.

IT'S UP TO YOU!

One song can spark a moment,

One flower can wake the dream.

One tree can start a forest,

One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,

One handclasp lifts a soul.

One star can guide a ship at sea,

One word can frame the goal.

One vote can change a nation,

One sunbeam lights a room,

One candle wipes out darkness

One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey,

One word must start each prayer.

One hope will raise our spirits,

One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,

One heart can know what’s true,

One life can make the difference,

You see, it’s up to you!

HOPE!

The well-known maxim, "While there is life there is hope," has a deeper meaning in reverse:  "While there is hope there is life."

Hope comes first, life follows.  Hope gives power to life.  Hope rouses life to continue, to expand, to grow, to reach out, to go on.

Hope sees a light where there isn't any.

Hope lights candles in millions of despairing hearts.

Hope is the miracle medicine of the mind.  It inspires the will to live.  Hope is the physician's strongest ally.

Hope is our shield and buckler against defeat.

"Hope," wrote Alexander Pope, "springs eternal in the human breast."  And as long as it does we will triumph and move forward.

Hope never sounds retreat.  Hope keeps the banners flying.

Hope revives ideals, renews dreams, revitalizes visions.

Hope scales the peak, wrestles with the impossible, achieves the highest aim.

"The word which God has written on the brow of every person," wrote Victor Hugo, "is Hope."  As long as we have hope no situation is hopeless.

                                                                                                          Wilferd A. Peterson