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While walking in a toy store
The day before today,
I overheard a Crayon Box
With many things to say.

“I don’t like red!” said Yellow.
And Green said, “Nor do I!”
And no one here likes Orange,
But no one knows quite why.

“We are a box of crayons
that really doesn’t get along,”
Said Blue to all the others.
“Something here is wrong!”

Well, I bought that box of crayons
And took it home with me
And laid out all the crayons
So the crayons could all see

They watched me as I colored
With Red and Blue and Green
And Black and White and Orange
And every color in between

They watched as Green became the grass
And Blue became the sky.
The Yellow sun was shining bright
On White clouds drifting by.

Colors changing as they touched,
Becoming something new.
They watched me as I colored.
They watched till I was through.

And when I’d finally finished,
I began to walk away.
And as I did the Crayon box
Had something more to say…

“I do like Red!” said the Yellow
And Green said, “So do I!”
And Blue you are terrific!
“So high up in the sky.”

“We are a Box of Crayons
Each of us unique,
But when we get together
The picture is complete”

——-
Christian fellowship provides us
With encouragement and love;
It will help us in our journey
‘Till we reach our home above

– Shane DeRolf

Meditation: But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. – 1 Corinthians 12:24-26

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Life isn’t Fair
What T.J. Drew

A medical doctor provides a physical description:

The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown backwards with his shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square wrought-iron nail through the wrist deep into the wood. Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement. The cross is then lifted into place. The left foot is pressed backwards against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed. The victim is now crucified.

As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain — the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet.

As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through his muscles, knotting them deep, relentless and throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push Himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs, but not exhaled. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath.

Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the bloodstream, and the cramps partially subsided. Spasmodically, he is able to push Himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen.

Hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-renting cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from His lacerated back as he moves up and down against rough timber. Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart.

It is now almost over. The loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level. The compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues. The tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues.

Finally, he allows his body to die.

All this the Bible records with the simple words, “and they crucified Him” (Mark 15:24).

By C. Truman Davis

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

The “U” In Jesus
Why Crucify Him Again?
The Magic of Three Days

I liked the old paths when Moms were at home. Dads were at work. Brothers went into the army. And sisters got married BEFORE having children!

Crime did not pay; Hard work did, And people knew the difference.

Moms could cook; Dads would work; Children would behave.

Husbands were loving; Wives were supportive, And children were polite.

Women wore the jewelry, And Men wore the pants.

Women looked like ladies; Men looked like gentlemen, And children looked decent.

People loved the truth And hated a lie.

They came to church to get IN, Not to get OUT!

Hymns sounded Godly; Sermons sounded helpful; Rejoicing sounded normal, And crying sounded sincere.

Cursing was wicked; Drugs were for illness.

The flag was honored; America was beautiful, And God was welcome!

We read the Bible in public; Prayed in school; And preached from house to house.

To be called an American was worth dying for; To be called an American was worth living for; To be called a traitor was a shame!

I still like the old paths the best!

Author Unknown

Meditation: Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. – Revelation 2:4

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Lessons Learned from My Dog
The Danger of Traditional Mindset
How to Turn Disadvantage to Advantage

A newly arrived soul in Heaven was met by St. Peter. The saint toured the soul around Heaven. Both of them walked side by side inside a large workroom filled with angels.

St. Peter stopped in front of the first section and said, “This is the Receiving Section. Here, all the petitions to God said in prayer are received”. The soul looked at the section, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets from all the people of the world.

They walked again until they reached the 2nd section, and St. Peter told the soul, “This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are packed and delivered to the persons who asked for them down on earth.”

The soul saw how busy it was. There were so many angels working in that room since so many blessings were being packed and delivered to Earth.

Finally, at the farthest corner of the room, the soul stopped at the last section. To the surprise of the soul, only one angel stayed there idly, doing nothing. “This is the Acknowledging Section,” St. Peter told the soul.

“How is it that, there is no work here?”

“That’s the sad thing,” St. Peter answered. “After the people received the blessings they asked for, very few send their acknowledgements”.

“How does one acknowledge God’s blessing?”

“Simple,” St. Peter answered. “Just say, “‘Thank you, Lord.”

Thank you, Lord, for giving me the chance to share this message with others and also, for giving me so many wonderful people to share this with. If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep .. you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace… you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness… you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death… you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married… you are very rare.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful… you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder… you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.

Count your blessings, and pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. – Hebrews 13:15

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Lord, Thank You
Thanks for Your Time
Of A Truth, Jesus Loves You

An old legend relates that long ago God had a great many burdens which He wished to have carried from one place to another on earth, so He asked the animals to lend a hand. But all of them began to make excuses for not helping: the elephant was too dignified; the lion, too proud; and so on. Finally, the birds came to God and said, "If you will tie the burdens into small bundles, we'll be glad to carry them for you. We are small but we would like to help."

So God fastened upon the back of each one a small bundle, and they all set out walking across the plain to their destination. They sang as they went, and did not seem to feel the weight of their burdens at all. Every day the burdens seemed lighter and lighter until the loads seem to be lifting the birds, instead of the birds carrying the burdens.

When they arrived at their destination, they discovered that when they removed their loads, there were wings in their place, wings that enabled them to fly to the sky and the treetops.

They had learned how to carry their burdens, and their loads had become wings to carry them nearer to God. The burdens we carry for others may become wings of the spirit, to lift us into happiness such as we have never known.

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. – James 1:2-4

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

I Took Your Place
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
The Burden – A Perspective to the Pressures of Life

There was a nature show on television about a black bear that gave birth to two cubs. One cub died right away. Three weeks later the mother died and the remaining cub was left to fend for itself. An orphaned cub in that condition is like a walking buffet for predators. And of course the camera immediately showed a hungry-looking mountain lion.

One day the orphan cub encountered a giant male black bear. The little cub cowered at the bear’s sheer mass. The larger bear peered around and seemed to realize that the mother bear wasn’t anywhere to be found. He gave the little cub a friendly nudge. The camera then showed the little bear happily trailing along after the larger one. The adoption papers were signed, sealed and registered at the county seat in that nudge. Papa bear proceeded to show the cub how to grub for insects and how to catch fish and how to scratch his back against a tree.

One day the two bears became separated. The cub began to cry and looked frantically for his new father, but couldn’t find him anywhere. The cub approached a stream where he’d learned to fish and something caught his attention. He looked up to see a mountain lion ready to pounce. That same mountain lion had stalked the cub for the entire show. There was no way that mountain lion would’ve gone for that cub with Papa bear around, but now….

The camera zoomed in on the cub. He automatically mimicked the posture of his adopted father when threatened. He stood on his hind legs and bared his teeth. Then, in the exactly the same way his new father would have done, this cub let loose a mighty growl that should have reverberated throughout the forest. But, only a tiny bear cub squeak came out.

Well, you know what was coming. But, to everybody’s astonishment the mountain lion lowered his head and ran off in the opposite direction.

The camera panned back to the proud little cub still standing tall on his hind legs. And then all the viewers saw what that little cub could not: a few yards behind him, at full, ferocious height, his sharp, white teeth bared in a snarl, stood Daddy bear. He may not have made a sound, but he was there.

And even though the cub couldn’t see his father, his father stood guard, protecting his young. The little cub had power available greater than anything he could produce on his own. There was a greater power watching over him.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. – 1 John 4:4

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Word Has Power
The Power of Saying
Why You don’t Manifest the Power of God

One of my earliest childhood memories was that of waiting outside our house for my Dad to come home from work in the evening. We had a long gravel driveway leading to the side of our house and on that same side yard stood a big tree. The tree had some low limbs that we could climb even when we were young - 4 or 5 years old.

My brother, Bob, and I would wait for our Dad by climbing up and sitting in a branch of that tree until we could see Dad's car start to pull into our driveway and hear the sound of the gravel beneath the wheels. When that time came, we would jump down from our tree branch as fast as we could and run over to Dad's car. We couldn't wait for him to get out of his car!

I still remember the excitement I felt each night anticipating Dad pulling into our driveway, then getting out of the car and giving us, first, his big signature grin and then, quickly after, scooping us up in his arms for the coming home hug. I was so, so happy to get that hug from Dad, I think I probably would have camped out forever - or at least since breakfast time - to receive that warm, loving hug!

When he gave that hug, I could feel how much he loved us in his strong yet gentle, confident and secure embrace. I am so grateful to my Dad for this wonderful memory of his coming home from work. He had several familiar games and rituals he would always play with Bob and me that magically said, "I love you," "You are special to me," "You are my joy," and "Now this is our time together."

When Dad became ill just a few years after that and couldn't communicate his love for us in words or even hugs any longer, I still had those memories of his "coming home from work to be with us" scenes to draw upon for confidence and the continued assurance of his love.

It has now been nearly twenty-five years since my Dad has passed away, yet the memories of him from my early childhood continue to be a marvelous source of inspiration to me. I remember the great times we had together when I was young; his vibrant smile, the silliness of his jokes, and the playful humor of his rituals.

But of all the fond memories Bob and I have of our time with Dad, the "waiting for him to come home for the evening hug" is to me, the best one of all. And when I think of my Dad coming home, I can still remember the beaming grin he would give us, his long arms smoothly stretching out to hold us, and the feel of his tender hug as he lifted us up off the ground.

Each time I think of it, it's as if my Dad was here with me once more, and I can feel his love inside of me all over again.

Thank you, Dad. I love you!

By Catherine Terry Ashton

Meditation: So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, Will give You thanks forever; We will show forth Your praise to all generations. – Psalm 79:13

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

The Father’s Hand
Grandfather’s Table
The “Our Father” Prayer

Pastor Mark Thompson of Faribault, Minnesota, suffered terrible knife wounds from an assailant in his home, in October 1988. One of the many consequences of his difficult recovery was being forced to miss watching his son Chris run in the state cross-country championship meet.

Pastor Thompson commissioned his brother Merv to go in his stead. According to the account in the St. Paul Pioneer Press & Dispatch, Mark told his brother, “I can’t be there to see Chris run. So I want you there at the beginning of the race. Holler a lot… Then at the end, I want you to really cheer loudly. And I want you to make your voice sound like mine.”

Merv heeded the advice, and Chris ran a strong race, finishing second. Merv, also a pastor, discerned the theological truth in the story. “That’s what Jesus wants us to do.” he said. “Make your voice sound like mine.”

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”. – John 10:25-29

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

The Lord’s Voice
Are You Listening?
8 Gifts that Do Not Cost A Cent

I ran into a stranger as he passed by. "Oh, excuse me please" was my
reply.
He said, "Please excuse me too; wasn't even watching for you."
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said good-bye.

But at home a different story is told,
how we treat our loved ones, young and old.
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
my daughter stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked her down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.
She walked away, her little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said
"While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use,
but the children you love, you seem to abuse.

Look on the kitchen floor,
you'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers she brought for you.
She picked them herself, pink, yellow and blue.

She stood quietly not to spoil the surprise,
And you never saw the tears in her eyes."
By this time, I felt very small
and now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by her bed;
"Wake up, little girl, wake up," I said.
"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
She smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."
I said, Daughter, I'm sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."

She said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you anyway."
I said, "Daughter, I love you too, and I do like the flowers,
especially the blue."

Are you aware that: If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our family, an unwise investment indeed.

So what is behind the story? You know what the full word of family is?

FAMILY = (F)ather (A)nd (M)other, (I) (L)ove (Y)ou!

Author Unknown

Meditation: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! – Psalm 133:1

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

The Family Bible
Changing The Course For Your Family Line
Why You Should Pray for Family Leaders

An elephant and a dog became pregnant at the same time. Three months later, the dog gave birth to six puppies. Six months after that the dog was pregnant again, and nine months on, it gave birth to another dozen puppies. The pattern continued.

In the eighteenth month, the dog approached the elephant questioning, “Are you sure you are pregnant? We became pregnant on the same date, I have given birth three times to a dozen puppies and they are now grown to become big dogs, yet you are still pregnant. What’s going on?”

The elephant replied, “There is something I want you to understand. What I am carrying is not a puppy, but an elephant. I only give birth to one in two years. When my baby hits the ground, the earth feels it. When my baby crosses the road, humans stop and watch in admiration, what I carry draws attention. So what I’m carrying is mighty and great.”

Don’t lose faith when you see others receive answers to their prayers. Don’t be envious of the testimony of others. If you haven’t received your own blessings, don’t despair. Say to yourself, “My time is coming, and when it hits the surface of the earth, people shall stand still in admiration.”

Author Unknown

Meditation: Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! – Psalm 27:14

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Do You Carry Your Umbrella?
I Carry A Cross in My Pocket
The Cross You’re Carrying

A crow lived in the forest and was absolutely satisfied with life. But one day he saw a swan. “This swan is so white,” he thought, “and I am so black. This swan must be the happiest bird in the world.”

He expressed his thoughts to the swan. “Actually,” the swan replied, “I was feeling that I was the happiest bird around until I saw a parrot, which has two colours. I now think the parrot is the happiest bird in creation.”

The crow then approached the parrot. The parrot explained, “I lived a very happy life until I saw a peacock. I have only two colours, but the peacock has multiple colours.”

The crow then visited a peacock in the zoo and saw that hundreds of people had gathered to see him. After the people had left, the crow approached the peacock. “Dear peacock,” the crow said, “you are so beautiful. Every day thousands of people come to see you. When people see me, they immediately shoo me away. I think you are the happiest bird on the planet.”

The peacock replied, “I always thought that I was the most beautiful and happy bird on the planet. But because of my beauty, I am entrapped in this zoo. I have examined the zoo very carefully, and I have realized that the crow is the only bird not kept in a cage. So for the past few days, I have been thinking that if I were a crow, I could happily roam everywhere.”

That’s our problem too. We make unnecessary comparison with others and become sad. We don’t value what God has given us. This all leads to a vicious cycle of unhappiness. Learn to be happy with what you have instead of looking at what you don’t have. There will always be someone who will have more or less than you have. The person who is satisfied with what he/she has is the happiest person in the world.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. – Hebrews 13:5

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Giving to Jesus
Great Service is a Choice
Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar

1. She first lays enough eggs before sitting on them: GOOD PLANNING.

2. When she starts sitting on her eggs, she minimizes movement: DISCIPLINE.

3. She physically loses weight while sitting on her eggs due to decreased feeding: SACRIFICE and SELF DENIAL.

4. She can sit on eggs from another hen: INDISCRIMINATE and GENEROUS.

5. She sits on her eggs for 21 days, patiently waiting and even if they don't hatch she will still lay eggs again: FAITH, HOPE and COURAGE.

6. She detects unfertilized eggs and rolls them out: SENSITIVE and DISCERNING.

7. She abandons the rotten eggs and starts caring for the hatched chicks even if it is only one: WISE, CONSCIOUS and REALISTIC.

8. No one can touch her chick: PROTECTIVE LOVE.

9. She gathers all her Chicks together: UNITY of PURPOSE.

10. She doesn't abandon her chicks before they mature: MENTORING.

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise - Proverbs 6:6

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

How Do You React When Hit By The Truth?
What to Do When Confused and Perplexed (2)
What to Do When Confused and Perplexed (3)

Mother’s Day is a recent memory. Like most moms, I was treated to a day where I could do whatever I want. I was Queen of the remote control. The lunch menu detailed the food that I wanted, and I didn’t have to cook it. My daughter, young as she is, made several Mother’s Day cards at school, church, and home with various scrapbooking adornments, which she proudly presented to me and begged that I select my favorite one. The sun was shining, and the day was happy.

There are times in our lives where things may not seem happy or joyous at all. Events happen and steal our joy. How do you recover from this? Where are you getting your joy? I must confess, life is not all roses. One of my six-year-old daughter’s favorite sayings is, “It’s not fair”. She is learning that life isn’t fair at times.

What would life be like if we had everything we wanted? King Solomon in the Bible had it all: power, fame, fortune, and wisdom. Yet, he put his happiness in temporal things and became very unhappy. Have you ever said to yourself, I will be really happy when I get that new car? How long does this happiness last? Or what about an accomplishment you have achieved. The next one must be bigger and better. It’s never enough and the cycle continues, searching for the happiness “high” that you experienced before.

What makes you happy? I’m not just talking about it for a few hours or days. I’m talking about happiness for a while longer.

Here are four suggestions on living a happier life:

Think of the small things that make you happy and write them down. This could be a sunny day, the smell of freshly cut grass, or hearing your favorite song on the radio.

Keep everything in perspective. Put things in their proper place. If something makes you unhappy, consider the scenario in the big scheme of things. Will it really matter when you are 80 years old?

Look at the root cause of what makes you happy in your life. Remember what gives you joy.
Put yourself second and serve others, which is contradictory to what the world says. Happiness in serving another person first, rather than ourselves, is a humbling experience that shows others that they matter more than us.

Have you heard of the saying, “Giving the shirt off of your back”? Happiness is a great feeling. The wonderful thing about being happy is that it can be found in small packages. Why not take time to look for the small stuff that makes you happy today?

By Darcy Keith

Meditation: He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. – Ecclesiastes 5:10

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Happiness is a Voyage
Alphabets of Happiness
The Secret of Happiness

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible.

His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you, but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?"

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house.

The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.

Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"

"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean. "Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.”

That is the work of God in our lives. To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His Son.

Take time to read a portion of God's word each day.

Author Unknown

Meditation: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

The Family Bible
What the Bible Means
Who Should Read the Bible?

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoebox in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover.

In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totalling £95,000.

He asked her about the contents.

'When we were to be married,' she said, 'my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll.'

The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness.

'Honey,' he said, 'that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?'

'Oh,' she said, 'that's the money I made from selling the dolls.'

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom to understand my man; Love to forgive him; and Patience for his moods; because Lord, if I pray for strength, I’ll beat him to death, because I don't have time to crochet.

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls. – Proverbs 25:28

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

The Marriage Vow
The Marriage Beatitudes
Relationships That Could Make or Break You (Part 1): Marriage

1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING…
But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.

2) 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.



3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER…
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.”

4) 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.



5) 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.

6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR…
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

7) 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.

– Author Unknown

Meditation: Of all your gifts you shall offer up every heave offering due to the Lord, from all the best of them, the consecrated part of them.. – Numbers 18:29

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Gifts from Children
Best Gifts This Season
The Twelve Gifts of Birth

Mum tucked me in. “Mum, is it really going to snow?” She pulled the blankets up to my chin and kissed my cheek.

“That’s what the weatherman said.”

“Will they cancel school?”

“It depends. If we get twelve inches like he said, they probably will.”

“Great! I don’t want to go to school. I want to play in the snow.”

“Now, Michael! Don’t go getting your hopes up. You could be disappointed.”

“But the weatherman said.”

“Michael, storms are unpredictable.” She patted my hand. “Go to sleep and we’ll see what the morning brings.”

She closed the door. The room grew dark. Outside, the wind howled. Sleet and ice clattered against the window. I heard mum walk to the kitchen. It was safe. I rolled out of bed, crept to the window, and pulled the blinds back. Snow swirled beneath the streetlight and spun in circles over the pavement like the sands in a desert. My heart rate increased – no school tomorrow!

“Michael, are you in bed?” Mum called out.

“Yes, Mum!” I ran back to my bed and pulled the covers up to my chin. How did she know?

“You better be!”

“I am, Mum! You can come and see.”

“Go to sleep!”

“Yes, Mum!” I curled beneath the blankets. The wind howled. I was warm and safe in my cocoon. Mum and Dad chatted and watched TV. I listened to the wind and wished for a day off to play in the snow.

*********************

“Michael!” Mum shook my shoulder. “Michael, it’s time to get up – time for school.”

“School?” I rolled over and stared up at her. “Mum?”

“I’m sorry, Michael. The snow missed us. It turned to rain. The schools are open.”

“No snow?”

“Michael, you’ll be late.”

“But the snow.”

“There’s no snow, Michael. Get up and brush your teeth.”

I groaned and rolled out of bed. At the sink, I held my toothbrush and looked at myself in the mirror. My reflection mimicked the sickness and disappointment I felt. The school loomed – a prison for kids without a snow day. On each side of the street, the remaining snow melted and created tiny rivers of muddy water. I watched them come together into bigger streams. Brown dirt eddied where the water paused in hollows before it flowed into the ocean. Images of ships floundering in the currents flashed through my mind. The school bell rang and jolted me to reality. My dream of a day off melted like the snow in the heavy rain.

The school day lasted forever. The teacher’s words went unheard. I sat at my desk and wallowed in self-pity. I kept thinking. “How could this happen? The weatherman said it would snow. Everything is ruined.”

“Psst!” I turned to my right. My friend Justin stared at me. I glanced at my teacher. Her back was to us.

“What?” I whispered.

“Want to play after school?”

I shook my head. “There’s no snow.”

“So? The brook behind the school is full of water, and it’s running fast. We could play with our boats. We’ll fill them with our plastic men and see if they can make it through the rough waters. We can drop rocks at them and pretend we’re pirates firing cannonballs at them.”

“Who’s talking back there?” Justin and I jumped and looked forward. “Are you boys talking?” Our teacher glared at us.

“No, Mrs Henneberry!” we said in unison. She turned back to the blackboard. “See you after school,” I whispered to Justin. The bell rang. Justin and I rushed out the door and had the time of our lives.

Pirates raided boats in the rough waters of the stream. Our ships sank in the murky water. Two boys laughed and played until their mother’s called them for supper. The sorrow I felt that morning was gone.

Snuggled under my blankets that night, I smiled and thought, “What a great day!”

The lost snow day is many years behind me, but its lesson is fresh. The day began with disappointment. A wish, a dream was gone. Over the years, I’ve looked at my reflection in the mirror in the morning and felt that same hurt. There were lottery tickets that didn’t win the money I desperately needed. “Why didn’t I win?” I’d whine. I’d wished and hoped for it. Why didn’t it happen?

There were times when I didn’t want to get out of bed because there was nothing to get up for. The job I’d had ended the day before. Why did it have to happen to me? My first wife passed away. I looked in the mirror the next day and felt that same “no snow day” emptiness. “Why did this have to happen? All the dreams we had for the future are gone.”

In each case, the circumstances were out of my hands. It did no good to wallow in self-pity. I had to get out of bed, face the day, and make the best of my situation. If I hadn’t, I would never have found a new job. If I hadn’t forced my way through the grief of losing my wife, I would never have found a new love. If the school would have been cancelled, I would have missed a great time with my friends.

When your day doesn’t start the way you hoped it would, you need to take control of the one thing I have control over – you.

By Michael T. Smith

Meditation: Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. – Habakkuk 3:17-18

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

The Dark Spot
The Angry Evangelist
A Perspective on Disappointments

My youngest child turned seven months old yesterday. They grow so quickly, don’t they? His development is bittersweet, I can’t wait for him to reach that next stage, but then again I want him to stay little! He is at that point where he is about to crawl – but can’t quite do it yet. That doesn’t stop him from moving around and getting where he needs to go though! He scoots around this house as fast as he can, dragging his little body with chubby arms. I love that ‘army crawl’!

His favorite adventure the past few days has been ‘chasing the bouncy blue ball’. I watched this closely today, and this is what I saw. His whole face lights up as soon as he sees the ball, and ‘the chase’ is on! He scoots after the ball – almost gets it in his grasp – and it slips away. No matter, he squeals with delight and chases it again. He catches it the next time, rolls over on his back, and holds on tight. He uses both hands and feet to keep the ball where he wants it while he ‘hugs and kisses’ the ball. He is so happy to have caught it, finally!

Then he lets the ball go, he watches it roll away, perhaps wondering where it will end up, or where it will take him next. He flips himself over and takes off after it again with a big smile on his face. He could do this all day long.

Chase the ball, catch the ball, hold it and play with it joyfully for a while, then watch it roll away once more. Does he get a little frustrated when the ball rolls away for the tenth time? Maybe a little, but he knows that half the fun, maybe even MOST of the fun, is in the chase!

How many times have you ‘almost’ had your DREAM or your GOAL in your grasp, just to watch it slip away? Do you stop the chase? Do you sit down and give up? Or – like the small child – do you realize that the fun is in ‘the chase’? Worse yet – do you ‘catch’ your dream or your goal and then hold on to it so tightly that you stop moving?

Lessons learned:

1. The FUN is in the chase!

2. If your dream/goal slips away – keep after it – you never know where ‘the chase’ might take you!

3. Once you have your dream/goal in your grasp – set a new one and start chasing again!

4. Remember – the FUN is in the chase!

Now – go out there and ‘squeal with delight’ as you chase after your dreams with a smile on your face! If you do it this way, no one will ever know that you don’t already have your dreams in your grasp!

by Tamara Yakovich

Meditation: for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: – Philippians 4:11

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Wash Day
Everything Matters
How to Thrive During A Recession (3)

As I’m typing my thoughts, I am watching my daughter play outside games with her neighborhood friends. First, they played a made-up game of throwing a ball through hula-hoops. Next, it was bouncing a ball in the middle of the hula-hoop, which had a number point value scribbled with pink sidewalk chalk in the center. How fun it is to watch the girls, aged five to eleven, improvise with the items they have, which were six hula-hoops and five balls of various sizes. I’m amazed at how quickly the girls can switch from game to game, making new rules, and having fun.

Watching their excitement, giggles, and negotiation skills remind me of some of the aspects of life that we sometimes don’t. We don’t celebrate life. Each day, we should celebrate life. No, I’m not talking about living irresponsibly, but enjoy every day given to us. For the past week, my daughter asks me what special thing we are going to do that day. Sometimes, she just wants to go outside and play catch or take a family bike ride to the park. Other times, it’s just sitting down to watch a movie with hot, buttered popcorn, and a glass of soda.

My husband and I try our best to enjoy every day with her by celebrating life and the time we have together. I remember when our daughter was born. Family and friends visited us to celebrate her birth and see our new family addition. Because in the first year of life she changed physically so much, we celebrated each stage by having her picture taken every month. Videos and pictures were taken at holidays, special events, family gatherings, and various times to capture her innocent, curious, happy personality.

I must admit, however, that sometimes I wish life away. One of the bedtime rituals that I do every night when I put my daughter to bed is that we pray together, I sing a bedtime lullaby that I have sung every night since she was born, we tell each other “I love you”, and I start playing her favorite CD as she drifts off to sleep. There are several times that I would have liked to just kiss her goodnight after we prayed and go back to whatever I was doing.

But when I hesitate, I remind myself of the joy I get from celebrating her life and how, when she gets older, I won’t be needed as much to tuck her in. I celebrate the moment, right here and now. Though there are things in our lives to make it easier, how it is that we are busier than ever? Why do we jam-pack our lives with more activities? What are you doing in your life that will cause you to stop and celebrate it? Is it reading that book for the tenth time to your child so that they can enjoy the story? Is it taking time to read a book that you’ve put off and say that you’ll get to it later? What about that diet that you promised yourself that you would start today?

Here are five thoughts to help you celebrate life now:

1. Start every day with a positive attitude.

2. Take a moment to notice the vibrant color of flowers, the colorful fall leaves, the glistening white snow, or enjoy the sound of the rain while you doze off to sleep in your warm bed.

3. Reflect on the positive things in your life.

4. Tell that special person you love them.

5. Find joy in the everyday things that we take for granted.

Celebrate life to the fullest…now!

By Darcy Keith

Meditation: And as it is appointed for men to die once. – Hebrews 9:27

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Making Life Count
Purpose: Sent to Give Abundant Life (2)
Benefits of Wisdom (15): Preservation of Life

My 9-year-old daughter and I were flying from our home in Charlotte, North Carolina, to spend a week with my husband in Miami, Florida. Mike had been in Florida for five months working for an Internet start-up company. We were excited about the trip because we had seen him only five times in five months, and Kallie missed her dad terribly.

As usual on the Charlotte-to-Miami flight, the plane was totally full. I had noticed a troop of Boy Scouts at the gate and commented to my daughter that if anything happened, we would be OK with all those Scouts on our flight! Little did I know…

Because we did not get our boarding passes until we arrived at the gate, Kallie and I could not get seats together and were separated by the aisle. That wasn’t such a big deal, except that Kallie was nervous about the trip and had counted on my reading to her the whole way. Trying to read across the aisle would be a challenge.

When the two passengers who shared my row boarded the plane, I asked if they would switch places with Kallie and me, so that we could be together and so that she could sit next to the window. They refused, saying they thought they should stay in their assigned seats. Meanwhile, a mother and her three children were in a panic several rows ahead of us. There had been a mistake in their boarding passes, the whole family had been split up.

The passengers in her row also refused to move elsewhere. The mother could hold her baby, but her 6-year-old son and his older brother had been scattered around the plane. She was very concerned about the younger boy sitting with strangers. She was in tears, yet nobody offered to help her.

Suddenly the Scout leader stood up and said, “Ma’am, I think we can help you.” He then spent five minutes rearranging his group so that adequate space was available for the family. The boys followed his directions cheerfully and without complaint, and the mother’s relief was obvious.

Kallie, however, was beginning to panic at the thought of not being next to a window or her mother. I told her that there wasn’t anything I could do; we would have to sit where we were. Amazingly, the man sitting next to the Scoutmaster (not a Scout himself), turned around to me and asked, “Would you and your daughter like our seats?” referring to himself and the Scoutmaster. He said he was cramped in the window seat and would really prefer the aisle. We traded seats and continued our trip, very much relieved to be together and watch the scenery from Kallie’s window seat.

Would that man have offered us his seat if the Scouts hadn’t done so for the mom and her children? I don’t know. But I do know that kindness is contagious, and good deeds beget good deeds!

by Phyllis Yearick

Meditation: What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. – Proverbs 19:22

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Checking In
Balance Sheet of Life
Reaction vs. Response

Some years ago I attended a self-improvement seminar and the speaker was Jim Rohn. He said, “Everything matters in life, some things a little and some things a lot, we just don’t know which is which.” And I believed him.

Now if I may, I would like to relate a personal experience that occurred when I was a motorcycle officer that strengthened this belief and taught a young man that everything in life does indeed matter.

I was a motorcycle officer with the Los Angeles Police Department and I was working speed complaints out of West Traffic Division. On the 6th of January, 1986, I was working a speed complaint on one of the streets in the hills of Bel-Air. It was around 9:30 in the morning. I was stopped at the base of a hill and had set up my radar on the handlebar of my motorcycle and was watching the traffic coming down the hill.

This was a residential area and the road was narrow with numerous curves and was posted at 25 miles per hour. I had just finished writing a couple of tickets when I heard the audio on the radar, looked up the road and saw a small sports car coming down the hill. I glanced at the digital readout on the radar unit and saw that the car was traveling close to 50 miles per hour. I stepped out into the street and waved the driver over to the curb.

The driver was a young man in his early 20’s on his way to UCLA for a morning class. I told him why I had stopped him and started to write him a ticket. He, of course, didn’t want the ticket and tried to talk me out of it. His name was Christopher and he was a good kid. But he was trying his best to get me to not write him a ticket. Never rude, always polite, but determined to convince me to let him go.

We bantered back and forth, he would raise his voice in support of his position, but I calmly explained why he should get the ticket. When he saw I was still going to write him the ticket, he asked me, “What If I had not stopped, you were not on your motorcycle, would you have chased me?” I replied, “Most likely not”.

About this time, I heard the audio on the radar and noticed that the digital readout registered 52 miles per hour. I looked up and saw a young man coming down the hill on a motorcycle. I stepped out in front of him and waved him into the curb. He was going too fast and passed us, but he was slowing down. I walked towards the motorcycle rider and my back was to Christopher.

The motorcyclist had turned around and was coming back to me. Then he suddenly made a quick U-turn and sped down the hill. I turned around and walked back to Christopher and said, “Well, one got away.”

He said, “I waved him on”.

I said, “What?”

He said, “I waved him on.”

I replied, “Oh, no! You should not have done that.”

He had a puzzled look on his face and asked, “Why not, it won’t matter?”

I told him everything in life matters, some things a little and some things a lot. We just don’t know which is which. The look on Christopher’s face clearly indicated to me that he did not believe me. I finished the ticket and we talked a little more about life and philosophy, then Christopher went to class and I went to court.

Three days later, I was back working that same area and had three cars stopped. While I was writing the tickets, I noticed that a car coming up the hill had stopped across from me. There were three or four guys in the car. It was obvious to me that they were waiting to talk to me.

I finished the last ticket and the driver of the car got out and walked over to me. He had a very sad look about him. I could tell something was bothering him. As he approached me, he asked, “Do you remember me?”

“Yes,” I replied, “you are Christopher.”

He then said, “You taught me a valuable lesson the other day when you told me that everything in life matters. I didn’t believe you then, but now I do.”

“How do you mean?” I asked.

“Do you remember the boy on the motorcycle?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied, “I do remember him.”

“Well,” he said, “he was my roommate and that is why I waved him on. I thought I was helping him. After he turned around he made a wrong turn and went down a street, which ended in a cul-de-sac and hit a large planter in the center of the cul-de-sac. He died instantly. You were right when you said everything in life matters.”

I was shocked and found it hard to believe, even though I had been with LAPD for 18½ years. We talked for a few more minutes. I expressed my sorrow, we shook hands and then we both left.

I rode to the station in Venice and looked up the traffic reports for the 6th of January and sure enough there it was. I still could not believe it. I mentioned what had happened to another officer who was in the station at the time. His response was that the kid deserved to die for fleeing the scene; I thought this cannot be happening; I don’t want to be like him.

As police officers and especially motor officers we are supposed to be saving lives, not pleased because some kid made a bad decision and died. Over the next several days I gave a lot of thought to this situation and my life in general. I decided I didn’t want to be a police officer anymore and I needed a change. So I resigned in February 1986 after 18½ years with LAPD to pursue my passion, network marketing.

I thought that I should listen to my own advice about how everything matters and look at this situation as an opportunity to make some serious changes in my life. I’ve never regretted leaving LAPD even though my business plans didn’t quite work the way I had hoped back in 1986. But over the years they have and I have had a successful network marketing business since 1995.

Could now be the time for you to make a life change? If it is, I would encourage you to do so. Based on my experience you will not be sorry. I will be 67 in September, I’m in great health and could not be happier.

By Duane Spears

Meditation: For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little. – Isaiah 28:10

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

How to Fix Your World
Benefits of Wisdom (2): In Demand
How to Make the World A Better Place

Once upon a time, a young man and woman met, gazed into each other’s eyes, kissed, and knew – for certain – that they were supposed to be together forever. In the subsequent days, weeks, and months everything fell into place just as they had anticipated. He was perfect in her eyes, and she was perfect in his.

Oh, it’s the majestic certainty of young love! When two souls who barely know each other believe they know everything that they must know to live happily ever after in their own blissful bubble. They think this because it’s what their emotional hearts and minds tell them is true.

But you know what happens next. It’s what always happens next in phony fairy tales like this. For one reason or another, logic trumps emotion, their bubble bursts, and the two lovers tumble back down to Earth, bruising themselves along the way and realizing that their perfect partner isn’t so perfect after all.

Maybe he learns that she doesn’t like rock music – and rock music is extremely important to him. Maybe she learns that he never makes the bed – and making the bed is extremely important to her. Regardless of the specifics, our lovers are finally beginning to see each other for who they really are – imperfect human beings. This is the turning point at which ‘falling in love’ ends and the test of ‘true love’ begins.

Either their mindset adjusts and they accept reality – that true love isn’t so much about perfection as it is about growth and patience – or they move on to the next short-term fairy tale romance in hopes of finding that one perfect soul mate who does everything just right.

Why am I telling you this story?

Because the fluctuating feelings that steer our romantic relationships are quite similar to those that steer our motivation to make a meaningful impact on the world around us. A little passion is all that’s required to start, but only sustained perseverance makes it worthwhile.

Sure, short powerful bursts of effort and seemly giant leaps in a single bound appear to be remarkable. But they fade as fast as they arrive, and all we’re left with in the end is an unfulfilled void.

An enduring dedication – fulfilling promises by marching forward with one foot in front of the other, even when the going gets tough – is what true love is all about. And it’s this kind of love, and only this kind of love, that can make the world a better place.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

World’s Greatest Chef
How to Fix Your World
How the World Responds to You

By all accounts, I am an ordinary, middle-aged woman no different from millions just like me. Over the course of my lifetime, I have had my share of jobs (and I use the word “job” because I can’t really say I ever pursued a “career” in anything).

I am an Executive Assistant. When I got my first job, and for the following fifteen or twenty years thereafter, I was called a “Secretary”. They don’t call it that anymore, it’s not politically correct and although I never really understood why it was necessary to change it, ‘they’ did.

In addition to working in an office, there were other jobs that included waitress work (now called ‘server’) and a host of factory and manufacturing jobs during the summertime of my high school years. I have always given my employer the best I had to offer, remained loyal, trustworthy and punctual and worked 50 weeks out of the year. Besides a paycheck at the end of the week and those two glorious weeks out of the year they call “vacation”, most jobs have been pretty mundane with self-effacing rewards at the end of the day.

However, one job in particular that I have held throughout the last 32 years has proven to be the most rewarding, most fulfilling and most important to me. That job was given to me when I became a Mom. Seven years and eleven months to the day from when I got married my new ‘job’ was given to me wrapped in a little pink blanket. Ashley Christine, followed by a baby sister 23 months later created the job of a lifetime and had all the makings of that dream job you hear others talk about and envy.

Like the reward a NASA engineer must feel at the completion of a spaceship that will travel into orbit, I have built two beautiful people who have given me such pride and happiness and who have fulfilled my dreams beyond my imagination. While other moms complained of all the work, money and effort that went into raising their kids, I lavished the idea.

From Mommie to Mom, to Mother, each step of the way has been enlivening. Starting even before that first step without holding on to the coffee table, which was followed by the babbling sound of MaMa and DaDa, kisses blown from a tiny little hand, falling asleep in my arms, Christmas mornings, the first day of Kindergarten, learning to swim, blowing out candles on a birthday cake, braces in middle school, their first kiss followed almost immediately by their first broken heart, softball games, dance recitals, cheerleading practice, learning to drive, high school football, the prom, graduation, packing for college, buying their first car, college graduation, moving back home, getting engaged and planning a wedding, it was my privilege to do my job and be there filled with pride each step of the way. Each and every day was not just another twenty-four hours, but another chance to make a difference – to teach and train, to mentor and to learn and grow along with them.

Now as I sit here at my desk, pushing paper from one side to another, answering the endless ringing of phones and watching the clock in anticipation of 5:00, I stop for a moment and day dream of all those precious memories that held my fascination and kept me coming back day after day, year after blissful year for more, as I performed the greatest job of my life – the job of being a Mom.

By Linda Hastings

Meditation: And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. – Genesis 3:20

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

A Joyful Life
A Mother’s Love
My One-Eyed Mother

Friendship is one of the many blessings God has given each one of us. I am so grateful for the lasting friendships I have cultivated through the years. As women, we know that true friendship is a sacred commodity. This is a relationship that is to be cherished and revered for a lifetime. We’ve experienced friendships that have come and gone because of misunderstandings, differences in lifestyles, spiritual or personal growth. For whatever reasons, they have left a permanent mark on our hearts of what true friendship really is.

I am known to be a very outgoing person and can interact with people from various cultures and backgrounds. I believe this is one of the many gifts God has bestowed upon me. I say this with great humbleness: as a child, I was very shy and reserved. During my early years, I longed for friends. I wanted people to accept and like me. Even in high school, I felt like an outcast because I wasn’t chosen to be in what I thought was the “In” group.

Consequently, this had a negative effect on my self-esteem. I placed little value on myself. My self-worth was overshadowed by the quantity of relationships versus the quality of true friendships. As I matured, I learned to filter through those relationships that weren’t holding me up in the best light. Sometimes that meant I had to light the path on my own.

Self-acceptance our elite, and not so elite, society would have you believe that it is about who you know or who you are connected to. There is nothing wrong with having well-known friends or being in a circle of connected people. However, it becomes a problem when your self-worth is based on whom you know.

Be you – love you! Wherever you think you aren’t in life yet, should never be an indication of where you are headed. Accept your shortcomings, mistakes; accept that some people won’t like you and some you don’t need to be connected to anyway. You can receive all the accolades you can stand, but until you can accept and love yourself, they are only a clanging cymbal.

Quality, not quantity networking is one of the hottest concepts in building relationships in the professional and entrepreneurial world. We are taught to meet and connect with as many individuals as we can. Whether it is to find a new career/job, build your business or build future relationships down the road.

When I was starting my career in training and development and my business as a coach, I was meeting people and collecting a lot of business cards. I would have a handful of cards, but no connections that related to my specific needs. I soon realized that the quantity of cards never measured up to the value of networking. I quickly learned that I needed to position myself where my target audience gathered; a place that supported my vision. Many times that meant a smaller and more intimate gathering.

Isn’t it funny how sometimes we enter into relationships the same way? We get sucked into a lot of drama and no substance. Then we scratch our heads trying to figure out how we got ourselves into this situation. You will later realize that sometimes less is more. For me, a quality relationship whether it is personal/professional is one based on character, excellence, and standards I set for my own life. Not perfection, but one of value that adds to not distracts from.

There is joy in being your own best friend. A true friend is someone who accepts you as you are, feels those fears and anxieties with you, and sees your limitations. A true friend will celebrate you, cry with you, and reason with you for your own good. I can truly say that I have a small, yet valuable set of sister-friends who have helped me to be the best I can be. However, I am learning to be my own best friend too.

When I feel like I’m not where I need to be, I smile and remember where I came from. When I fear stepping out of my comfort zone, I feel the fear and say, “go for it girl”. And when I am confronted with my limitations, I tell myself to do what I can. A way will be made because God never fails. I find pure joy in laughing at my quirkiness, the silly things I say and do. When you become comfortable with yourself, you’ll realize you don’t need a crowd to feel good.

Just be YOU!

You are your own best friend!

by Cherri Walston

Meditation: A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. – Proverbs 18:24

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Forever Friendship
The Test of Real Friendship
Relationships That Could Make or Break You (Part 2): Friendship

I’ve never seen a u-haul behind a hearse. The only thing you take with you when you’re gone is what you leave behind. We are slapped when we come into this world and they shovel dirt on us in the end. This is our life. Everyone’s life. These are the bookends of life. But what really matters is what goes on in the middle. That we are passionate people. That we are caring people. That we LIVE!

The people I’ve been privileged to watch succeed have intensity about them. They demand everything from themselves. They show up every day, in fact, every moment, and they are accountable to themselves. Everything they do has a hard statement, and they know when to stop. Very impressive.

Real beauty is found in oneself. That’s the tranquil beach. The beautiful sunset. It’s not a location, the location is you. To travel is to travel inward. That’s the ultimate vacation.

Turn your weaknesses into your strengths. Success is failure turned inside out. We need to find a deeper meaning in life. Our duty, as artists, is to tap into those notes that resonate in us all. Not to sleepwalk through life, like an outpatient program; but to strike a chord.

We can’t catch kindness in a net or a gun. When kindness is given to you, it’s by choice. One must adopt an attitude of gratitude.

We can become prisoners of self. One must dig tunnels; escape one’s own mind. We get just this one life. We have to stop doing time. But live lives like we planned in our youth. No matter where we are, how old, we can always reach our dreams.

All your life you’re going to be judged, what matters is keeping your soul intact and making work that matters. We have to stop telling people what we are going to do, what we have not yet accomplished, and tell them instead what we have accomplished. Only in this way can we be accountable for our actions. I am not accountable for achievements I have not yet reached, but I am what I have accomplished.

It’s when we stop forcing it… trying to impress, that we really shine through; we start having strong people like us, just fall into our laps – and those that are weak are empowered by the tone of our voice. Get off your knees and do. Words without action is death. One has to stop sitting in the back, waiting. Come to the front. The front row of life. A joyful life.

My mother told me at a very young age, “Miles, we are placed on this planet to help others. Go out and help others.” So, it is by her words that I try to shape and reshape my life. Yes, each day we will be challenged by indifferent people and for the most part, it isn’t their fault. We are just so conditioned by life (media, society) to live like caveman or barbarians (non-contemplating spoon-fed society). To live like the subjects in mindless beer commercials. Their ideals perhaps “you deserve better, more than another, you are the most important.”

After a while, we believe it. Brainwashed. Let’s have “fun.” Fun? Fun is a limiting word. Why would one limit their existence to only this? Is that all we appreciate for the life we’ve been given?

Life is a 24/7 celebration of the word itself (existence). So maybe one needs to replace the word “fun” (a word created by media to keep you down, to bait you, to sell you things, tell you what you need) to the word “joyful.”

Maybe we could be way happier if we lived a life that from each waking day till sleep time is joyful. You get but one life. We are each only given one shot at getting it right in the long run. Find a job you love and you’ll start to bring joy to yourself and all others in your life.

Words are either negative or positive. Could it be that all this time “fun” is really a negative word and “joy” a positive one? Perhaps a little rethinking is in order.

by Miles Patrick Yohnke

Meditation: “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply;” – Deuteronomy 30:15-16

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Joyful Things
Grandma and the Cake
One Good Reason to Hang on (6)

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 also beyond our immediate control.
Tomorrow’s Sun will rise, either 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 just leaves only one day… Today.

Any person can fight the battles of just one day.
It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternity’s –
yesterday and tomorrow that we break down.
It is not the experience of today that drives people mad.
It is the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday
and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.
Let us therefore live but one day at a time.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: redeeming the time, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:16

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Today I Taught My Child
Uplifting Things To Do Today
What You Should Note Today

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs.

After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination. As the one lone ember’s flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and “dead as a doornail.”

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.

Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, “Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.”

Author Unknown

Meditation: A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. – Proverbs 18:1

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Of A Truth, Jesus Loves You
Numbers to Call In Emergency
Six Words That Changed a Life

I ran home from school, stomped up the worn wooden steps, slammed open the front door and yelled,

“Mum! Mum, I’m home!”

“Michael, I’m right here!” Mum appeared around the corner. “Stop yelling. What if your father had been sleeping? You know he works nights.”

“Sorry, Mum,” I mumbled and hung my head in shame. “I didn’t mean to yell.”

“If you had woken him, you know how mad he would have been.”

“I just wanted to show you my spelling test.” I handed her my test. “I got a gold star.”

“You got another one?” She smiled. “Good for you! You always study so hard, but you have to remember not to yell when you come in the house.”

“I know, Mum, but I was excited and wanted to show you.” I lied. Dad drank a lot. If he had too much, he’d argue with Mum. I was afraid she’d leave. My two older brothers and I would be alone with him. What if I came home and she was gone? It was a fear I lived with most of my childhood. I needed to know she was there.

Years later, I moved away for my first job. Each evening, I’d open the door to a lonely, empty room. I didn’t call out for Mum. I knew she wasn’t there. I spent evenings alone. There were no computers, only books and television. It was a temporary situation.

Three months later, I was home again. Mum and I sat at the kitchen table, played cards, and talked. It was nice to have someone to share my day with – someone who loved me.

A year later, I sat in my car. The back seat and trunk were full of my belongings. My mattress was tied to my roof. Mum stood beside the car.

“Well, you’re off on your own again.”

“This is it.” I smiled up at her. “I can’t believe I have my own house.”

“You’ll do fine, Michael.” Her eyes glistened. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks.

“Thanks for everything, Mum. Without your support, I wouldn’t be going where I’m going today.” I pulled away and wiped my own tears from my eyes. I’d miss coming home to her, but there was another woman I’d be coming home to soon.

A few hours later, Georgia and I sat in the living room of my new home. I knelt on one knee and asked her to marry me. For many years, I came home from work to my wife. We had two children – a boy and a girl. Georgia and I shared our days and love. My home – my life – was full. I was happy.

Disaster struck. My manager announced major layoffs. Fifteen years of seniority were not enough to save me. A new job took me to another city. Georgia and our kids stayed behind to sell the house. I opened the door to a rented room. There were no hugs, no children yelling “Daddy”, and no one to share my day with. I was alone.

A year later they joined me. I opened a door to love and family again. The pattern continued: a new job, a move, a lonely room, and a family that followed later.

I came home one night to another empty room. My daughter didn’t move with us this time. She was on her own. My son was home, but he didn’t greet me. He wanted to be alone to deal with his feelings. Georgia died the week before.

I faced an empty room. I never understood what empty was. There were many empty rooms I cried in, but not one compared to the room Georgia never filled again.

A year later, I opened the door, and there was Ginny. Her arms reached out and pulled me close. Her lips met mine. Her loved soothed me. Ginny and I have been apart for a month or more a few times. She’s had to help her children in other states. I’d enter an empty room when I came home from work and hear my footsteps echo off the walls – the sound of alone. I was sad she wasn’t there, but I knew she’d be back.

Ginny knows an empty room. Her husband, Harvey, passed on and left her in one too. We keep those rooms behind closed doors. They remain empty. Like a photo album, we only go there when we want to remember the past.

Ginny and I live in the present room – the room filled.

by Michael Smith

Meditation: All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again. – Ecclesiastes 1:7

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

The Much Awaited Person
Service: Will You Be Counted?
Learning From Nehemiah: Make it Clear

Nehemiah 4:2 “Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish-stones that are burned?” I was only a boy, maybe ten years old, when I was awakened on an unusually warm autumn night by the siren of the local volunteer fire department. Mom in her nightgown, Dad in his boxers, and I in my racecar pajamas stood in our back yard watching flames lick the starlit sky. It was an eerie sight. The largest, most prestigious house in our very middle-class community was on fire.

The next morning Dad and I walked down the road to check out the damage. Our neighbors, who beat us to the scene, were already gawking at the white, two-story icon, now a smoldering pile of ruins. The chimney still stood like a “Washington Monument “to its former glory. It was hard for me to believe. Such a stately house, the nicest on our little street, was a heap of coals. I watched trails of smoke still rising from blackened wood and stone. The ornate furniture, up-to-date appliances, and beautiful woodworking were completely charred.

You know, houses aren’t the only thing susceptible to catch fire and burn. People get burnt too. I’m sure some of you have been burned, haven’t you? The stories are similar. With a promising future, you walked into life with confidence. Then, like the big white house in my neighborhood, an unexpected catastrophe occurred and you were seared by life’s flames. Burnt. Unrecognizable.

You watched as smoke rose from what was left of yesterday’s optimism and prosperity. This wasn’t supposed to happen. It wasn’t part of the plan. You’re not the first one to experience such heartache. Nehemiah experienced the adversity of being burned. The hometown he and his people revered had been completely destroyed by fire. Jerusalem’s wall, the spiritual emblem of national strength and dignity was torched. By his own admission, he was overcome with grief as he recalled its former glory.

What makes the devastation worse is in knowing what once was. Remembering how great things made the present misfortune feel all the more hopeless. It’s a lot like staring at the biggest house in your community lying in a pile of ashes. We all have mental photos, flashbacks of our life before we were burned. There’s the daddy pushing you in a swing, a mother cooking, a happily married occasion, a healthy child, and a younger you. Likewise, you see the college degree you never finished, the friend who hurt you, the prayer that wasn’t answered, a worthless 401(k) with no retirement benefits, and the pink-slip from the company you invested your life in.

Smoldering histories, they’re reminders of the great fire, that catastrophic event when you were burnt. The question arises, “What now?” When Nehemiah heard about his beloved Jerusalem he was overcome with sorrow. His mind pulled up the photos of better days, the way God intended things to be, and he just couldn’t handle his emotions. Can you hear his anguish? “I sat down and wept, mourned, fasted and prayed” (Neh 1:4).

Nehemiah’s emotional response is predictable, but what he did next was not. While Nehemiah prayed, he stumbled onto praying the answer. “Give your servant success TODAY” (Neh 1:11, emphasis mine). When you spend time calling out to God sometimes you pray the answer, if even by mistake. He knew he couldn’t go back to the innocent years when the wall was first built, but he could use what he was left with “TODAY.”

From that prayer, Nehemiah determined to rebuild the wall with the rubbish of its former glory. I imagine Nehemiah rummaging through the debris of the old, burned down wall, picking out burnt, but usable stones to rebuild with. It took some work, but he and a handful of faithful, tenacious men rebuilt the city wall using burnt stones from yesterday’s tragedy. Scripture records, “The wall was built” (Neh 7:1). Using “leftovers”, Nehemiah built a new wall that restored hope to his people and gave glory to God.

You thought you could never again be used as you once were. Ever since your “fire”, you declared you would not trust again, teach again, work again, speak again, write again, or love again. You’ve said that that chapter in your life had closed. Well, maybe it’s time to think again. Burnt stones are not only usable, they’re desirable.

Years after the neighborhood mansion had been leveled by fire I was invited into the new house the family had rebuilt. I was about sixteen years old when I walked through the front door into a large living room that was designed around the most beautiful fireplace I had ever seen. It was made from unusual looking, dark colored stones that rose to the ceiling, mounted with a stunning mantel made from some sort of darkened wood. It was built to overwhelm you when you walked into the room, and that it did!

“Whoa!” The words jumped out of my mouth before I realized it. The owner smiled and said, “Everybody likes the fireplace. The stones came from what was left over from the fire six years ago. And the mantelpiece is made from several floor beams that didn’t completely burn up.”

Amazing how something so beautiful can be built from scorched wood and burnt stones. You need to know that God uses burnt stones. The Lord searches through the fragments of our hardships, picking up the scraps He can use again. He helps people who have been burned to get up and rebuild their dreams and fulfill their destiny. And today, of all the people on the planet, He’s chosen you, burnt, but still beautiful. Don’t you think the time has come for you to arise and rebuild?

By William Baldwin

Meditation: And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. – Isaiah 61:4

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

How Do You Build?
The Much Awaited Person
Purpose: Sent to Restore Israel

Has anyone told you lately that you are truly amazing? Probably not unless you are one of the very blessed few who have at least one powerful encourager in your life that truly does care about you.

I was 6 feet tall when I was in the 7th grade. I weighed all of 140 lbs. Skinny doesn’t begin to describe it. Toothpick would come a little closer. With the unruly and wiry hair that I tried to grow long and fight to keep straight, most of my friends called me ‘Q-tip.’ You can imagine how that did wonders for my self-esteem. Yeah, not much.

I was reminded by my father that I wasn’t planned when I was born. I guess not. Three kids in LESS THAN three years. My brother was two years old, about to turn three. My sister was one year old, nine days before she turned two.

My father suffered most of his life with what we now know as bipolar disorder. Major moods swings and a plethora of attitudes that did not serve in my best interest (or anyone else’s for that matter.) He constantly reminded me that I was an “accident” and with the constant psychological abuse that he put on me, I felt more like an intruder on this planet than a little boy.

As I got older and begin to discover personal development and what it could do for me to heal my past and create my future, I begin to develop new beliefs about myself. What I discovered changed my life. I discovered that the facts proved that I was not an “accident”, but indeed, my life was/is a miracle.

I discovered through reading personal development books that the chances that I was ever conceived, to begin with, were tens of millions to one. In fact, I learned that I had beaten out somewhere between 10 and 90 million other ‘seeds’ that were all vying to fertilize one egg. Tens of millions of potential suitors and only one was going to get a date. In fact, the others were going to die. It wasn’t just a race and competition for affection. It was a battle for life.

Stop and think about this. If any other seed had fertilized that one egg, neither you nor I would be here right now. Ever wonder why you’ve always felt ”special”? Maybe you felt ”lucky”? Well, you gained access into the inner sanctum to fertilize the egg and millions of others died off who didn’t make it.

I don’t know about you, but that fact alone makes me feel pretty amazing! Now I’m not asking to you believe in some kind of esoteric, metaphysical or spiritual concept. I’m sharing this as an established fact. Go check out these stats with a medical doctor. Now, if those odds haven’t made you feel as amazing as they make me feel, then think about this.

Go back five generations in your family. That would be to a great-great-great grandparent. Having extensive genealogy records for my family, I know who my great-great-great-grandfather was and where he was born.

He was born in 1795 in Kentucky. Just 18 years after our country declared its independence. He met his wife by some set of circumstances, which I’m not aware of. Nonetheless, just imagine your own experience, or perhaps that of your parents (or grandparents) and know that the odds weren’t good that he and this particular woman got together.

Now add to the equation that the odds that they ever conceived and had the particular child that they had, were also in the one in several million odds. Now, THAT child grew up and met someone else and the process goes on and on.

My point? Imagine the odds that you ever arrived here on this planet. Trillions to one. Your life is amazing. You may not feel like it. You may feel the lowest emotions that a human can feel. Nonetheless, the FACT remains that YOU ARE A MIRACLE!!!

Perhaps in another article, I’ll get into the amazing biological, skeletal/muscular make-up of your body (which is itself a miracle.) For right now, just allow yourself to consider and deeply think about, how YOU got HERE.

You, my dear friend, are no accident. You are amazing! You were a miracle the day you began your existence on this planet. And, you still are. Most people are never taught to love themselves.

Most people are never taught to really understand how awesome they really are. Through a lot of emotional and psychological damage that we get from very ill-informed sources in this world, we never face the REALITY of who and what we really are.

I’m here, telling you, YOU ARE AMAZING! I know it. You have the talents, skills, intelligence and heart to do miracles in your own life. You have potential that you haven’t even begun to tap into its power.

You’ve likely either forgotten or, you never knew how the facts that support you as being a phenomenal being. Take some time today and think about what I’ve shared with you here. Think about the dreams, hopes, desires and incredible vision inside of your mind. I’m not asking you to ”believe” anything.

I’m just giving you the FACTS. You are amazing! You can do, be and have more than you’ve ever dreamed possible. Let yourself awakened to the TRUTH about you. Get your dreams off of the shelf and dust them off. Let them live again in your heart, soul and mind.

Keep believing that you can and will accomplish them. Then, expect them and watch your awesome life unfold.

By Michael Murphy

Meditation: I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. – Psalm 139:14

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Achieving Greatness (2)
The Sure Route to Personal Development and Enhancement (Part 1)
The Sure Route to Personal Enhancement and Development (Part 2)