These Bulletin stuffers or short minute lessons are freely given,
permission is granted to us and you do not have to mention my name.
Freely I received, freely I give.
Much of life is a balancing act. If this observation was made then you should listen. I try to look at myself regular and evaluate how to improve and correct the weak areas. That is good they were honest... Moderation... It comes down to an issue of trust. They have to learn and apply and we have to give them room and space to grow... God says ask him, he will give wisdom... Well let us ask... Healthy God fearing children ....
Sign: GIVE UP, GIVE IN OR GIVE IT ALL YOU HAVE //// TO BELITTLE ANOTHER IS TO BE LITTLE
I read recently that a study by the American Heart Association found that people that experience high levels of despair and hopelessness have a 20% great chance to develop atheroscherosis (narrowing of the ateries). The report said this negative thought pattern could do as much damage a a person smoking one pack of cigarettes a day. To focus beyond the troubles and trials of today and to reach for hope in faith could have health benefits? To focus on the negative could steal joy and make life even more painful. Consequices of choices?
I believe ... The truth will not always be appreciated by all, but yet I believe it must be spoken any way. Some say: YOU ARE PREACHING... I believe the word is true... It makes sense to me... Wish we all could see...
The skunk tormented the bull dog every time the dog walked by. One day someone suggested to the bull dog, why don't you just beat him up? The bull dog said: I know I could win if I fought the skunk, IT JUST WOULD NOT BE WORTH THE STINK. Wisdom learns this is not the hill to die on...?
Many things could make this world a better place... One of them would be to re-learn the lost art of listening. Seems we all know how to speak our mind... I think our Creator had a lesson by giving us two ears and one mouth. Be quick to hear and slow to speak... We understand how important communication is... ? But how much do we miss by not listening?
I see so much selfishness..and self-centeredness and people being mean to others. I once read how to discover if you are a VIP, a very important person... and if the world should bow at your feet. The test is easy to see if you are: Pour 16 ounces of water into a glass. Place your finger in the water. When you pull your finger out if an indention hole stays in the water your are more valuable than your friends. If the hole does not stay, you are just like the rest of us.
Many tears here... Someone say something nice to me? Please?
Why think having a test is so strange? How do you make in from kindergarten to first grade? Pass the test? How do you go from middle school to high school? Pass the test? How do you make from high school to college? Pass the test? Do you want you children to have a teacher that never had a test? Do you want a doctor that does not know where your gizzard is? Life is nothing more than a series of te...sting. Promotion comes after testing? So you think you should be exempt from test? Was Abraham and Job exempt, was Jesus? The book says: count it all joy when you have many, hard test? Expect seasons of testing? Study & Thrive ... Pass the test... Learn, be better... Find the purpose and do the best you can... Failure is not an option.
The journey of spiritual discovery is not just looking for new experiences and new people but looking with the light at the hope of a new day. So we need to open our eyes to new attitudes and a new heart. Recall the lady that lost one of her coins? (Luke 15).She grabbed a candle and a the light exposed dirt, when she saw the dirt, she understood why she had lost her coin. She cleaned up the dirt. Then when she cleaned up the dirt she found the coin, she was looking for... We need the light to expose the dirt. We can not fix what we refuse to see... LORD, SEND THE LIGHT... OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART, WE WANT TO SEE JESUS...
The night may seem dark and long, the sickness and pain may seem to knock us down, but we trust the plan of a great God... We reach forward and dream big...
Job almost seems cruel? Abraham had to lay his only son on the altar? You are a chosen vessel, to touch others may require some heavy days and dark nights... You can make it... You will make it, we pray for you.
I would worry if everything was smooth sailing. Life is school, we are students... Where we mess up is a false assumptions that we should be exempt... Check the Bible out, the individuals that were tested the some, accomplished the most. Life is always a battle, this is a testing ground... We must learn to thrive in the battle... Expect the test... Trust a holy God that leads, guides and guards you... There is a reason and purpose...
Sometimes when you're frustrated with where you are it helps to look back and see how far you've come.
Are you smiling? How many smiles have you given away today? I do not feel like smiling? One smile can start a thousand? A smile improves your face value? What if you died with "that look" on your face? Reckon the undertaker could change it? Hum? Whistle? Smile someone will wonder what are you up to...??? Sow smiles, real smiles?
Beware the prophets who seek their own crown built from your wallet.
Did you know it is always to soon to quit? Maybe one more try? A little more effort? A new attitude? A different approach? There is a time for R&R... It is ok to rest if you must. Did you know being tired makes cowards out of victors? What crushes your hope? Has life stolen your dreaming ability? Pray, regroup and press on... Who knows if you try again maybe ... Just maybe... Keep your focus clear... Press on
My goals:
To be healthier then ever before, mentally, spiritually, physically. To complain less, take action more own my mistakes and learn from them. To make positives choices to give back, to help others to love unconditionally. Nothing worth having in life comes easy God bless ...
Solomon ask God for a special gift: HE WANTED UNDERSTANDING... Do we understand that hurt people --- hurt people?
Most of life is found to exist in the REACTION to ... Life is best found when we quit reacting to garbage and start ACTING... Reaction is a natural way we respond, ACTION IS MOVING IN THE REALM OF FAITH. Spouses reacting? Building greater walls? I picked up a dog that was hit by a car, he tried to bite me? He thought I was the one that was causing him the pain. I did not react by biting him back... Patience is a rare action, we usually react.
God has a bigger plan..quit going around the mountain and head for HIS promises..HE will never leave nor forsake you!! Why live for imperfection when you can have perfection in HIM!
Whether in marriage, a relationship or even as a pastor of a church...that uneasy feeling of not knowing where you stand or your worth, can wreck havoc in one's mind. Doubt can stall your destiny by sheer imagination. Tell people how much you appreciate them. You never know. You may have given that push into greatness.
Sign: WHAT WOULD 24 HOURS IN HELL TEACH YOU? ///// DO NOT ALLOW THE PAST TO DICTATE YOUR FUTURE
My heart breaks for the family of a suicide victem... They found him dead this morning an apparent suicide... This family finds them selves as low as can be... God, we do not judge, we pray. The crush is amazing. Suicide is cruel to the remaining family. Prayer.
Want to tell others what is wrong? How about talking about what is right?... Thermometers measure temperatures, thermostats do more than measure, they change what is wrong? Wonder what the headlines in heaven would report? There is good news from heaven... God is on the throne, God has got everything control His control, over our heads? Under His feet? Hurting for the children? Trials?
God's news is that future is bright... God news, God is with us... Trade your despair for hope... We know all things work together for the good... Good comes out of bad... Did you forget what we know? Remind someone today, IT IS WELL...
Twilight is not always the brightest, but is precious. Seed sown, harvest ahead. Trust completed? Please Pray.
I have been pondering--- DEATH IS A MEAN, CRUEL GUEST THAT WE HATE. Perhaps I have focused wrongly? Maybe we should celebrate life...
Celebrate every day of life? Now the date of death? Maybe I have focused to much on that one day, DEATH. As I stand at the nursery window I celebrate. But death is as much a part of life as is death. We know that first day that death is coming. Sooner? Later? You know I can not change how the wind blows, but I can learn how to set the sails wisely and make the best out of the winds blowing right now? I shall never understand death? We tend to blame God for death, but if we honestly survey life and death, death was not part of God's plan. Death for one that has accepted Christ Jesus is but a closet where we change? May we should focus more on how we live than about death? I have no answers, but I think?
I prayed, and prayed some more --- I voted --- not for someone as there was few I liked --- I voted against someone --- After I voted --- i prayed some more, now I TRUST THE FATHER THAT IS IN CONTROL --- How ever the swing goes --- I TRUST THE BIGGER PICTURE...
Did you hear about the person with the long tongue that was critical and judgmental that said: I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM, but let me tell you about FATSO, they eat like a pig and gain more and more weight? They are killing self, gluttony is a sin? Fatso could not help but discussing SMOKER? Smoker has a real problem, their lungs and cough are so bad, I knew someone that died from that? Smoker could not see the damage they were doing but was very quick to discuss the damage good... old DRUNK was doing to his liver? Drunk laughed and said let me tell you about the real problem, we know that DRUGGER sees 5 doctors and buys and begs for diet and pain pills from anyone. Drugger says: I am in pain and my doctor gives me most of my pills, I need them... Drugger says: Let me tell you about DOPER, doper smokes left handed cigarettes and is lazy and will not work. Doper refuses to see the problem and wants to talk about that person having an affair that is sinning against their body? Seems no one can see their own problem but would rather discuss the problems of others. Long tongues? Obesity? Smoke? Pills? Alcohol? Pot? Sinful sex? Are all problems that few desire to honestly say: I HAVE A PROBLEM, PLEASE JESUS HELP ME? Quit talking about others and look to yourself? !!! Holy Spirit convict us of every sin and weight that so easily
besets us...
Do you know that you could make Jesus smile today? Well, how could I do that we ask? By feeding an old person? By hugging someone that has been broken? By forgiving someone that has been mean to you? By doing some act of kindness? By teaching some young person a life experience? By helping someone up that has fallen? By turning off your television and spend few minutes listening to a real person. You could make Jesus smile by not playing some computer game, by not spending all you time in cyber space and touching, listening and communicating with some one that needs a friend. We seldom make Jesus smile accidently... It is by planned, purposed action...someone needs a friend today, make Jesus smile and you will smile!!! Invest in people.
What you been counting? Do you count what is wrong?(FOCUS?) Do you have a critical spirit? Some of the most critical, judgmental people I know will tell you how positive they are? Only one person believes them? (self) Are you counting and focusing on what is wrong? Or do you accentuate the positive? Do not tell me what is wrong, unless you can help me fix it? I rather be an artist than an art critic? Have you focused on negative stuff today? Your mouth will speak your heart? You got a heart problem? Count your blessings name them one by one? Look what God can do!!! YOU CAN WHAT EVER YOU WANT TO DO...
I was talking to a person, they had been hurt and disappointed by other people. They informed me there was not one nice person in the world? What? Not one nice person in the world? Sure! What were they saying about self? Kind of sad, the mirror effect strikes again?
One lesson we need to learn: If you do not swing the bat you can never get a hit? Did you hear of Babe Ruth? Home run king for many years? Did you know Babe had over 800 runs? But did you know he struck out over 1300 times... He held the strike out record? I guess we have to swing to our best ability and trust the eye and the bat? Are you swinging the bat or chasing butterflies? Choices?
Did you know you are a teacher? You are teaching something to somebody? My question is what are you teaching your children? What are you teaching your friends? You teach action lessons? You teach reaction lessons? What you do matters to someone? Are you teaching purposefully or just what will be will be? Are you a life changer or aimlessly drift from anger to bitterness, to pain? Make a difference!
When you learn life has a mirror effect you are on the way to wisdom? Few ever learn, they would rather blame?
Heavy? Did the day take a twist you can not understand? Has life crushed your dreaming ability? Has sin left scars? Pain? Suffering? Disappointment? Are you watching people instead of the cross? The Lord as a better idea: Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG) I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
Heavy? Did the day take a twist you can not understand? Has life crushed your dreaming ability? Has sin left scars? Pain? Suffering? Disappointment? Are you watching people instead of the cross? The Lord as a better idea: Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG) I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than what is in our power to give them, and this will always lead us to prayer. I will write once more, we face a very important election. Our leadership in this nation needs to hear our united voice. We must do two things: 1. Pray and then 2. VOTE! This is our duty. Arise!
A little lady at the rest home called me aside, she said are you a preacher? I said, Yes. She dug in her purse and pulled out this dime. She said, I WANT YOU TO PUT THIS DIME IN THE OFFERING. I refused, she insisted. She wants the church to have her dime. Wow. Talk about the two mites...
I want to thank the Lord and all that have prayed for my eyes. Super report, a month ago pressure so good, doctor cut my medicine in half. Today my pressure was so good he cut my drops to once a day every other day... And in a month may completely drop all drops. Wow
Let me tell you of a little boy that touched me Sunday morning at church...he comes from a broken past, he asked to see me away from everyone and had a tear run down his cheek, he looked me in the eye and opened his hand, there was a quarter, he said preacher I want to give this to you, it was hard to accept, but I felt the Lord say: He needs to learn about giving, I humbly accepted the quarter as from the hands of Jesus. I gave him a big bear hug. He went to children's church, I told his story in my lesson, we had visitors from northern Michigan... I prayed this young mother as we closed, I felt like the quarter was for her, as others prayed, I slipped the coin in her hand and talked to her about little things. We cried together. One quarter touched several people. God we give...
At the gas station, I saw ten USA Army men in a fancy van, they were older soldiers and had a lot of brass, metals, and stripes... I wanted them to know I appreciated their years of service, I ran in and bought 10 ice teas of different favors and came out. I shook hands with each one, gave them a bottle of tea, and thanked them --- and asked God to bless each one. I am thankful for the men and women that service this nation. I said this is a token of appreciation from people that thank God for your service.
I never mean to be offensive... But I am concerned about no commandments in our government buildings, no prayer in schools, and any display of Christ Jesus seems to be offensive... But let us get real ... What about faithfulness in attending church services? No prayer at school is a truly reflective of no family altar and the family never praying together... How many kids can sing: if I could hear my mother pray again? Kids hear dad yell at sports and never praising God... It... is more than no 10 commandments in public places, it is because the 10 Commandments not hanging in our kids bedrooms and homes, or maybe the kids do not know God's rules, how can you keep what you do not know... The majority of children have never been to Sunday School, so the churches quit having services to do family time? Not worship time? Jesus is about a personal relationship and aligning with God's word. Is eternity real?
I never understood the love of God until standing at a nursery window at Middlesboro ARH, hospital... As I peered through the glass window at my first born son, I started crying, I said: GOD HOW DID YOU DO IT? How did you give your only son for me? I can give you me, but my fried, I could never give my son. As a matter of truth I have never given any one that
died, they were taken from me. God gave... WOW, God I thank you this Father's Day for allowing me to be a Father... and a Grandfather... Today you need to remember how good God has been to us... BUILD PRECIOUS MEMORIES FOR THE CHILDREN... SOON WE WILL BE GONE... Until then may I hug as never before... THIS HUG IS FOR YOU MY CHERISHED FRIENDS.
God is bigger than any mountain I see, and even the ones I do not see, God reigns when my emotions play games... We have been crushed beyond my ability, but God has been more than faithful. When all seems impossible, God shows his stuff. God trumps all obstacles with His Son, Jesus, patience and time. This problem does not need to be a stumbling block, God will make this trial a stepping stone stretching you higher than your dreams. Forgive, let go, bury the past, be healed... ARISE ... THERE IS MORE THAN THIS...
Please remember Mothers Day is not a happy day for everyone... To some people Mothers Day is painful. Many miss their mom, they would love to hear her voice one more time. Many have learned the tombstone is so very cold. I miss my Mom, but I would not bring her back to this cruel world to cry and suffer again. I rejoice, I never lost my mom, I know where she is, I have set my heart to make the best family reunion of the ages. Mom loved reunions. How do I do it? I give my mom's love to other people, that is what she would want...
I saw my first lightning bug tonight, I lived to see them again... God made lightning bugs for kids and me
Do you have to go to church? No, you get to go to church! Going to church is important to worship and praise God and come into the presence of Jesus at His house. Faithful attendance at church is voting to keep the church doors open. To attend church is a witness to your community that you care about God. Does attending a church make you a Christian? Does swimming in a river make you a fish? I want to praise God I am able to attend. I am thankful I have a desire to go... Come and go with me to my Father's house.
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