Start over

When you've trusted God and walked His way, When you've felt His hand lead you day by day, But your steps now take you another way-- Start over.

When you've made your plans and they've gone away, When you've tried your best and there's no more try, When you've failed yourself and you don't know why-- Start over.

When you've told your friends what you plan to do, When you've trusted them and they didn't come through, And now you're all alone and it's up to you-- Start over.

When you've prayed to God so you'll know His will, When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still, When you want to stop cause you've had your fill-- Start over.

When you think you're finished and want to quit, When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit, When you've tried and tried to get out of it-- Start over.

When the year has been long and successes few, When December comes and you're feeling blue, God gives a January just for you-- Start over.

Starting over means "victories won"; Starting over means "a race well run." Starting over means "God's will done"-- So don't just sit there

Silence is more effective than words and more beneficial and useful, or at the very least it may be less harmful than to speak... In silence there may be wisdom and strength, there may be nobility and dignity.

Sometimes we keep silent in order that God should speak, for the word of God is more powerful than anything we might want to say... How beautiful are the words of the Bible, "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." (Ex 14:14)

Our Lord Jesus Christ remained silent before Pilate. He did not open His mouth or defend Himself. During His silence Pilate said, "I find no reason to condemn this righteous man".

Silence can be profitable sometimes, but it is not a fixed rule.

The golden rule is this, that the person should speak when it is right to speak and keep silent when it is right to keep silent.

When he is silent then let his heart speak with God and ask Him to speak on his behalf...

Lets all pray for the peace in the whole world...Lord Hear our prayers

We need this power...

Diane, a young university student, was home for the summer. She had gone to visit some friends one evening and time passed quickly as each shared their various experiences of the past year.

She ended up staying longer than planned, and had to walk home alone. She wasn't afraid because it was a small town and she lived only a few blocks away.

As she walked along under the tall elm trees, Diane asked "God" to keep her safe from harm and danger. When she reached the alley, which was a short cut to her house, she decided to take it. However, halfway down the alley she noticed a man standing at the end as though he were waiting for her.

She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for "God's" protection.

Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped around her, she felt as though someone was walking with her.

When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely. The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had
been there.

Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep. Thanking the Lord for her safety and to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station. She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story.

Police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could identify him. She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before. When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed.

The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her. She asked if they would ask the man one question.

Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her.

When the policeman asked him, he answered, "Because she wasn't alone. She had two tall men walking on either side of her."

Moral of the story... Don't underestimate the power of Prayer! Gives you goose bumps doesn't it!

And they call some of these people "retarded"... A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win.

All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry.

They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back.....every one of them.

One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story.

Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.

If you pass this on, we may be able to change our hearts as well as someone else's. "A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle"

How many times in a day do we lose our temper, snap at those we love, ignore those we work with, go to school with, interact with each day?

Sometimes, we are so wrapped up in our life, our problems, what we are trying to get done, we simply tune out others.

You see, being kind requires us to care for others. It requires us to concentrate on their needs. It forces us to look away from ourselves and look at others.

Like most of the things I write about each day, this is something we usually overlook, often take for granted, and seldom think about.

If you asked most people, they would tell you that they are "kind" to others. Most of the time they are probably right.

But God has told us to be kind to others, and again, in our attempt to be living within His will, this is another facet of our life we must be aware of.

Being kind in a Biblical sense, means that we need to put others before ourselves. Look at serving others instead of serving ourselves. Kindness requires our focus be on someone else.

One thing I learned, was that only God can change a human heart. He uses us as instruments to touch peoples lives and soften their hearts so He can speak to them.
Our acts of kindness to others is a way for God to speak to someone who needs Him.

You never know where a person really is in terms of their life, but God does. Our kindness to someone at a critical point can be the act that opens them to hear God's voice speaking to them.

I will be praying today for you to focus this day on being kind to others. Never underestimate how God is using you. It is usually in those simple acts that God uses us the most. Practice being kind to others each day so that it becomes natural. Our nature is to focus on ourselves first and others second. God wants us to change that nature to focus on others first and ourselves second. That means we must trust God to look out after our needs.

I am praying that your faith be increased to trust Him to care for you, while you care for others.

This is a great day today. It is unique because it is like no other day, and when it is gone, will never be back.

Make the most of it for Him!
Be kind to those you meet along the way today.

Grace and peace to all. Please read the following carefully, it has deeply touched my heart and hope it does the same for you.

WAIT FOR HOPE

There are times when everything looks very dark to me -- so dark that I have to wait before I have hope. Waiting with hope is very difficult, but true patience is expressed when we must even wait for hope. When we see no hint of success yet refuse to despair, when we see nothing but the darkness of night through our window yet keep the shutters open because stars may appear in the sky, and when we have an empty place in our heart yet will not allow it to be filled with anything less than God's best -- that is the greatest kind of patience in the universe. It is the story of Job in the midst of the storm, Abraham on the road to Moriah, Moses in the desert of Midian, and the Son of Man in the garden of Gethsemane. And there is no patience as strong as that which endures because we see "Him who is invisible" (Heb. 11:27). It is the kind of patience that waits for hope.

Dear Lord, You have made waiting beautiful and patience divine. You have taught us that Your will should be accepted, simply because it is Your will. You have revealed to us that a person may see nothing but sorrow in his cup yet still be willing to drink it because of a conviction that Your eyes see farther than his own.

Father, give me Your divine power -- the power of Gethsemane. Give me the strength to wait for hope --- to look through the window when there are no stars. Even when my joy is gone, give me the strength to stand victoriously in the darkest night and say, "To my heavenly Father, the sun still shines."

I will have reached the point of greatest strength once I have learned to wait for hope.

Strive to be one of the few who walk this earth with the ever present realization -- every morning, noon, and night -- that the unknown that the people call heaven is directly behind those things that are visible.

By faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. (Galatians 5:5)

Untiring Love

This is a true story that happened in Japan. (Not Confirmed Yet. -Tim)

In order to renovate the house, someone in Japan tears open the wall. Japanese houses normally have a hollow space between the wooden walls. When tearing down the walls, he found that there was a lizard is stuck there because a nail from outside was hammered into one of its feet. He sees this, feels pity, and at the same time he is curious. When he checked the nail, turns out, it was nailed 10 years ago when the house was first built. What happened?

The lizard has survived in such position for 10 years! In a dark wall partition for 10 years without moving, it is impossible and mind boggling. Then he wondered how this lizard survived for 10 years without moving a single step--since its foot was nailed!

So he stopped his work and observed the lizard, what it has been doing, and what and how it has been eating. Later, not knowing from where it came, appears another lizard, with food in its mouth.


Ahh! He was stunned and at the same time, touched deeply. For the lizard that was stuck by nail, another lizard has been feeding it for the past 10 years...


Such love, such a beautiful love! Such love happened with this tiny creature...
What can love do?
It can do wonders!
Love can do miracles!
Imagine... The Lizard has been feeding the other untiringly for 10 long years, without giving up hope on its partner.


Imagine... If a small creature (like a the lizard) can do this, what a creature blessed with a brilliant mind can't.


I was touched when I heard this story and started wondering about relationships between family members, friends, lovers, brothers, sisters.

As information and communication technology advances, our access to information becomes faster and faster. But the distance between human beings... is it getting closer as well?


I ask you... please never abandon your loved ones. Just like God never abandons you!

On The Inside

There is a place, deep inside you, that is filled only with the things you've allowed to come in. Take a careful look, and see what that special place holds. For although nothing can get in unless you allow it, everything there will surely get out. The things you hold inside of you will eventually take hold in your outer self and the world in which you live.

One day, your innermost imaginings will become your outermost reality.

So what are you imagining?
Is your inner self full of fear, anger, doubt and resentment?
Or do you fill your innermost thoughts with love, faith, confidence, gratitude and joy?

Whatever is on the inside will soon be on the outside, and will indeed define who you are. Make positive use of that control you have over your deepest, innermost self.

Fill the inside with goodness, with love, with the best you can imagine. For what you keep inside, is what you do become.

Watch your thoughts; they become your words.
Watch your words; they become your actions.
Watch your actions; they become your habits.
Watch your habits; they become your character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

God Bless you all

On The Inside

There is a place, deep inside you, that is filled only with the things you've allowed to come in. Take a careful look, and see what that special place holds. For although nothing can get in unless you allow it, everything there will surely get out. The things you hold inside of you will eventually take hold in your outer self and the world in which you live.

One day, your innermost imaginings will become your outermost reality.

So what are you imagining?
Is your inner self full of fear, anger, doubt and resentment?
Or do you fill your innermost thoughts with love, faith, confidence, gratitude and joy?

Whatever is on the inside will soon be on the outside, and will indeed define who you are. Make positive use of that control you have over your deepest, innermost self.

Fill the inside with goodness, with love, with the best you can imagine. For what you keep inside, is what you do become.

Watch your thoughts; they become your words.
Watch your words; they become your actions.
Watch your actions; they become your habits.
Watch your habits; they become your character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

God Bless you all

Isn't it true???

This will make you think......

Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill Seems like such a large amount when You donate it to church, but such a Small amount when you go shopping?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IT'S STRANGE ISN'T IT?

God's gifts

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car.

Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible? and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11, "And if ye, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly father which is in heaven, give to those who ask Him?" As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the
words...PAID IN FULL .

How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we expected? I trust you enjoyed this. Pass it on to others. Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for...

IF YOUR GIFT IS NOT PACKED THE WAY YOU WANT IT, IT'S BECAUSE IT IS BETTER PACKED THAT WAY! ALWAYS APPRECIATE LITTLE THINGS; THEY USUALLY LEAD YOU TO ATTACHMENTS!

Lord Give Me Strength...


Grant me strength, Dear Lord, I pray,
Control my life, don't let me stray.
When I feel angered, help me see,
That I can place my trust in Thee.

When I feel I'm sinking low,
Hold me, Lord, don't let go.
Don't let Satan have his way,
For I know he'd lead me astray.

Make me strong when I feel weak,
Let my ears listen when You speak.
Let not my faith diminish in Thee,
But save my soul and set me free.

Forgive me when I start to doubt
What faith and trust are all about.
Hold me Lord, in the darkest night,
Take away my fear and fright.

May Your voice be one, I always hear,
Saying to me, "I'm always near".
"I'll walk with you and guide you well,
But you My child, must not rebel".

Lord, I love you, forgive my fears,
Please dry my eyes from all these tears.
May I always place my trust in You,
Remembering, Lord, You've always been true.

Why Lord ?

Why Lord does my life
Seem always in turmoil?

Why is it that each time
I think I’ve made progress
And can stop to take a breath
Along comes another disaster?

Why do I have to always struggle
To get the little that I have?

Why is it always so hard
To find a few moments of peace?

People are constantly coming to me
Seeking my advice
As if I have all the answers.
Why Lord, why?
I don’t seem to know the answers
To my own troubles.
How can I help others with theirs?

Each day I rise wondering
What new thing will happen today?
And each day along comes
Another hurtle to jump
Or to be put aside.

As I get older
I so long for some peace.
Where do I find it Lord?

I desire that sweet release
I have often heard of.
But it always seems allusive
And too far for me to reach.

Help me Lord and calm my soul.
Take this troubled life of mine
And make it Your tool.
Help me to display Your love
And the promise of Your peace

"Whosoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father; But he that acknowledges the Son has the Father also" (First John 2: 22-23)

WHO WILL TAKE THE SON !!!

A wealthy man had an only son. They both loved art and owned a big collection from Picasso to Raphael.

A war broke out and the son was called for duty. In a viscous battle the son was killed trying to save another wounded fellow.

The father was notified, he grieved deeply for the death of his only beloved son. Months went by. One day there was a knock at the door, the
father opened the door, there a young man was standing with a large package in his hands.

The young man said "Sir you don't know me, but I'm the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives, he was carrying me when he got killed.

Then he offered the package to the father " I know you love art, this is not much, I'm not really an artist but I think your son would have wanted you to have this".

The father opened the package, it was a portrait of his son after he was killed, his eyes welldup with tears. The father hung the portrait over at prominent place. Every time guests come to his house he showed them his son's portrait with great pride.

Years went by, the rich man died. All his art collection of paintings had to be auctioned. Many wealthy people came. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel, "we will start bidding with this paint of the son, who will start bidding?

There was silence !!!

Then voices were raised "we want to see the famous paintings, skip this one".

The auctioneer persisted " will someone bid for this painting!!. "Get on with the real bids" they shouted.

The auctioneer shouted " The Son....The Son". A feeble voice came from the very back of the room "Ten dollars for the painting" that was the
poor longtime gardener of the man and his son.

The auctioneer " who will bid 20 dollars" no answer, " going once, going twice, sold for ten dollars".

" let us get to the real collection" said a man in the first row. The auction is over said the auctioneer, I was told whoever bought the painting of the son would inherit the entire estate.

The man who got the son got everything.

More than 2000 years God gave His Son to die on the cross to save us.

His message still stands:

"THE SON, WHO WILL TAKE THE SON??

You see who gets the son gets everything now and then.

A bit long, but I think worth reading, God Bless

What If?

WHAT IF I'D BEEN ADAM?

What is that You say, Lord?
I said, 'take off those fig leaves.'
But Lord, I'll... I'll be ashamed.
You should be. Here, put on this lamb skin.
Lamb skin? Where? .. How did you get it off the ...?
I had to kill the lamb.
Kill? You mean...
Yes.
But why the lamb.
It was innocent.
It was either you or him. (Genesis 2:16,17, 3:21)
Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22).

WHAT IF I'D BEEN NOAH?

Did I hear you right, Lord?
Yes, I want you to make me an ark.
You mean like a boat?
Yes. Here are the blueprints.
Right here on dry land?
Yes.
But won't the people think I'm crazy?
They'll change their minds. (Genesis 6)
A few, that is eight persons were brought safely through the water (I Peter 3:20).

WHAT IF I'D BEEN MOSES?

Did You say my shoes, Lord?
Yes, take off your shoes.
But Lord, the rocks and thorns...
It's holy ground.
But Lord it's so rough - my feet...
Holy ground is often rough ground. (Exodus 3:1-5)
...called with a holy calling (II Timothy 1:9).

WHAT IF I'D BEEN JOSHUA?

But Lord, the water's way over the river banks.
I know. Tell the priests to step in first.
But Lord, they might get their robes wet...
They won't.
And what about the Ark ... what if it gets ...
Trust Me.
But Lord, it's like ... like the Red Sea!
I know. I was there. (Joshua 3)
When you pass through the waters I will be with you (Isaiah 43:2).

WHAT IF I'D BEEN GIDEON?

Cut down my troops, Lord? But we're already outnumbered...
Send the scared ones home.
But Lord, that leaves only 300 men!
That's right.
But we'll be helpless!
You will. But I won't. (Judges 7)
The Lord can save by many or by few (I Samuel 14:6)

WHAT IF I'D BEEN DAVID?

But Lord, isn't it enough just to tell You?
No. I want it in my record.
For everyone to read, Lord? Everyone??
Everyone for ages to come.
But Lord, my sin is so great.
My forgiveness is greater. Write it out. (Psalm 51)
Blessed is he who whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered (Psalm32:1).
WHAT IF I'D BEEN ELIJAH?

I know the woman is a poor widow.
Do You realize she is a gentile?
I do.
But Lord, she has a child. She doesn't need another mouth to feed.
I have everything covered. Get on your way.
But Lord, have You forgotten the drought ... the famine?
Have you forgotten the ravens? (I Kings 17:1-16)
My ways are not your ways, declares the Lord (Isaiah 55:8).

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