The Blind Man One day, there was a blind man sitting on the steps of a building
with a hat by his feet and a sign that read: "I am blind, please help."
A creative publicist was walking by and stopped to observe. He saw that the blind man had only a few coins in his hat. He dropped in more coins and, without asking for permission, took the sign and rewrote it.
He returned the sign to the blind man and left. That afternoon the publicist returned to the blind man and noticed that his hat was full of bills and coins.
The blind man recognized his footsteps and asked if it was he who had rewritten his sign and wanted to know what he had written on it. The publicist
responded: "Nothing that was not true. I just wrote the message a little differently." He smiled and went on his way.
The new sign read: "Today is Spring and I cannot see it."
Sometimes we need to change our strategy. If we always do what we've
always done, we'll always get what we've always gotten.
And remember too, sometimes it's not WHAT we say,
it's HOW we say
it!!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Romans 12:1-2,5,9-21
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God...
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another...
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, an weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate, be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much a lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
AMEN
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God...
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another...
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, an weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate, be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much a lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
AMEN
Monday, February 18, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
"SO WHAT ABOUT SOCIALIZATION?"...AND OTHER QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING!
Whenever we go out and someone asks my children where they go to school, or what grade they are in, I mentally cover my head, and wait for the "bomb to drop"! For some reason, when it comes to the subject of homeschooling, people feel they have the freedom to tell you what they think you should do, and what your children need... even if they are total strangers! If you have been homeschooling for any amount of time, you have more than likely faced some type of criticism or questioning. It seems to just come with the territory. Over the years, I have had more comments, questions, and criticism than I can count regarding our choice to home school. Family members, acquaintances, and even people I don't know. I'm not sure that I'll ever get to the point where this doesn't bother me, but I guess I just have gotten used to it.
I've had questions like:
"Do your children have FRIENDS?"
"What about socialization?"
"How do you teach them every subject? Do you know everything?"
"How do you have the patience for that? I could NEVER do it!"
"Well, don't your kids need to get out SOMETIME?
"What if your kids want to play sports?"
"Aren't we called to be "salt and light"?
The rest of this article can be found HERE, in Gina's monthly column entitled "Reaching High! For the Glory of God!
Whenever we go out and someone asks my children where they go to school, or what grade they are in, I mentally cover my head, and wait for the "bomb to drop"! For some reason, when it comes to the subject of homeschooling, people feel they have the freedom to tell you what they think you should do, and what your children need... even if they are total strangers! If you have been homeschooling for any amount of time, you have more than likely faced some type of criticism or questioning. It seems to just come with the territory. Over the years, I have had more comments, questions, and criticism than I can count regarding our choice to home school. Family members, acquaintances, and even people I don't know. I'm not sure that I'll ever get to the point where this doesn't bother me, but I guess I just have gotten used to it.
I've had questions like:
"Do your children have FRIENDS?"
"What about socialization?"
"How do you teach them every subject? Do you know everything?"
"How do you have the patience for that? I could NEVER do it!"
"Well, don't your kids need to get out SOMETIME?
"What if your kids want to play sports?"
"Aren't we called to be "salt and light"?
The rest of this article can be found HERE, in Gina's monthly column entitled "Reaching High! For the Glory of God!
Romans 8:28-39
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Crosswalk
The Crosswalk
Every once in a while, a seemingly-simple email comes around that ends up being quite profound. This is one of them.
Awesome!! We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot.
Whatever your cross,
whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain....
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call....
He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light...
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love.
May God fill your day with blessings!!
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle!
Every once in a while, a seemingly-simple email comes around that ends up being quite profound. This is one of them.
Awesome!! We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot.
Whatever your cross,
whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain....
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call....
He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light...
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love.
May God fill your day with blessings!!
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
WHAT IS A FRIEND?
Your Heart is your Love,
Your love is your Family ,
Your family is your Future ,
Your future is your Destiny ,
Your destiny is your Ambition,
Your ambition is your Aspiration ,
Your aspiration is your Motivation ,
Your motivation is your Belief ,
Your belief is your Peace ,
Your peace is your Target ,
Your target is Heaven,
Heaven is no fun without FRIENDS
It's ' World Best Friends Week'!
F - Few
R - Relations
I - In
E - Earth
N - Never
D - Die
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
To seek God is the greatest adventure.
To find God is the greatest experience.
To fall in Love with God is the greatest of all Romances.
Your Heart is your Love,
Your love is your Family ,
Your family is your Future ,
Your future is your Destiny ,
Your destiny is your Ambition,
Your ambition is your Aspiration ,
Your aspiration is your Motivation ,
Your motivation is your Belief ,
Your belief is your Peace ,
Your peace is your Target ,
Your target is Heaven,
Heaven is no fun without FRIENDS
It's ' World Best Friends Week'!
F - Few
R - Relations
I - In
E - Earth
N - Never
D - Die
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!
To seek God is the greatest adventure.
To find God is the greatest experience.
To fall in Love with God is the greatest of all Romances.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Against The Current
"Against the Current" was my devotional today. This spoke loudly to me! yesterday's message was great, it was about "coveteousness" and in between, the Pastor used Hebrews 13:5 (my husband's favorite verse) where it says: ...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. And the pastor shared with us that in the long run is not what you do (in church, or position you hold) but who you are what counts! At the end, when we die or when God comes for us, we can not take anything with us. Who I am in God's eyes, how I follow after Him, how I seek after Him, that's where my concentration needs to be!!! That's all I've known all my life, is being active in church. My husband was a deacon, choir director assistant, congregational leader, we were the homeschool group leaders...and though I've had a "good" relationship with God, it's obvious to me that I need to know him more, I need to draw nearer to my blessed Lord and totally trust His guidance in this "against the current" situation I'm in right now. In my shortsighted eyes I don't see what's awaiting for me! I have to be reminded that His thoughts are not my thoughts (good thing, right?) and the only one that knows the outcome is God and I need to trust in Him alone!!!
Against the Current by Hannah Whitall Smith
So like wise, whowoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. LUKE 14:33
You must remember that our God has all knowledge and all wisdom, and that therefore it is very possible He may guide you into paths wherein He knows great blessings are awaiting you, but which, to the shortsighted human eyes around you, seem sure to result in confusion and loss. You must recognize the fact that God's thoughts are not as man's thoughts, nor His ways as man's ways; and that He alone, who knows the end of things from the beginning, can judge of what the results of any course of action may be. You must, therefore, realize that His very love for you may perhaps lead you to run counter to the loving wishes of even your dearest friends. You must learn, from Luke 14:26-33 and similar passages, that in order to be a disciple and follower of your Lord, you may perhaps be called upon to forsake inwardly all that you have, even father or mother, or brother or sister, or husband or wife, or it may be your own life also. Unless the possibility of this is clearly recognized, you will be very likely to get into difficulty, because it often happens that the child of God who enters upon this life of obedience is sooner or later led into paths that meet with the disapproval of those he best loves; and unless he is prepared for this and can trust the Lord through it all, he will scarcely know what to do.
Against the Current by Hannah Whitall Smith
So like wise, whowoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. LUKE 14:33
You must remember that our God has all knowledge and all wisdom, and that therefore it is very possible He may guide you into paths wherein He knows great blessings are awaiting you, but which, to the shortsighted human eyes around you, seem sure to result in confusion and loss. You must recognize the fact that God's thoughts are not as man's thoughts, nor His ways as man's ways; and that He alone, who knows the end of things from the beginning, can judge of what the results of any course of action may be. You must, therefore, realize that His very love for you may perhaps lead you to run counter to the loving wishes of even your dearest friends. You must learn, from Luke 14:26-33 and similar passages, that in order to be a disciple and follower of your Lord, you may perhaps be called upon to forsake inwardly all that you have, even father or mother, or brother or sister, or husband or wife, or it may be your own life also. Unless the possibility of this is clearly recognized, you will be very likely to get into difficulty, because it often happens that the child of God who enters upon this life of obedience is sooner or later led into paths that meet with the disapproval of those he best loves; and unless he is prepared for this and can trust the Lord through it all, he will scarcely know what to do.
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