3 May 2015

posted 30 Apr 2015, 02:53 by C S Paul

3 May 2015

Quotes to Inspire
  • The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." – Michelangelo Buonarroti
  • "To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself." – Soren Kierkegaard
  • "Reading is a means of thinking with another person's mind; it forces you to stretch your own." – Charles Scribner Jr., Publisher
  • "It is not genius, nor glory, nor love that reflects the greatness of the human soul; it is kindness." – Henri-Dominique Lacordaire
  • "There's a big difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do." — Potter Stewart
  • "Yet, in the end, the purpose of our work is not just to make a living, but to make a life. And, when it's all over, we will be judged not by what we have, but by what we have become." – Michael Josephson
  • "Love is not blind—it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less" – Rabbi Julius Gordon 
  • "He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven." – Thomas Fuller 
  • "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." – Theodore Roosevelt
  • "Most people spend more time planning a vacation or a party than they spend planning their lives." – Denis Waitley 
  • "Almost anything is easier to get into than to get out of." – Agnes Allen
  • "The best proof of love is trust." – Joyce Brothers, Psychologist
  • "The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse." – Helen Keller
  • "Good habits are as addictive as bad habits, and a lot more rewarding." – Harvey Mackay
  • "A life without purpose is a languid, drifting thing; Every day we ought to review our purpose, saying to ourselves: 'This day let me make a sound beginning, for what we have hitherto done is naught.'" – Thomas A. Kempis
  • "Those who don't get their feet wet don't catch fish." – Chinese Proverb
  • "It is a wise father that knows his own child." – William Shakespeare
  • "One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters." – English Proverb
  • "I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." – S. Freud

The Other Side

Unknown

A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side." Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know." "You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing... I know my Master is there and that is enough." 

Rocks

Unknown

One day, an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. You won't either. 

As he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers, he said, "Okay, time for a quiz." He then pulled out a one-gallon, 'wide-mouth' mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist sized rocks and carefully placed them, one by one, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?" Everyone in the class said, "Yes." 

Then he said, "Really?" 

He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar, causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. 

Then he asked the group once more, "Is this jar full?" 

By this time the class was on to him. 

"Probably not," one of them answered. 

"Good!" he replied. 

He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. 

Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?" 

"No!" the class shouted. 

Once again, he said, "Good!" 

Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. 

Then the expert in time management looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?" 

One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it." 

"No", the speaker replied, "That's not the point." "The truth this illustration teaches us is this: if you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all. What are the big rocks in your life? Your children. Your spouse. Your loved ones. Your friendships. Your education. Your dreams. A worthy cause. Teaching or mentoring others. Doing things that you love. Time for yourself. Your health. Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first, or you'll never get them in at all." 

"If you sweat the little stuff (i.e. gravel, the sand) then you'll fill your life with little things. You will never have the real quality time you need to spend on the big, important stuff (the big rocks)." 

"So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: what are the "big rocks" in my life?" 

"Then put those in your jar first." 

"Have a nice day." 


A Love Story

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah the beauty of God's creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me. He asked me, "Do you love me?" I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Savior!"

Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?" I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do, the things that I took for granted. And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."

Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?" How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you."

The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?" How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."

The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?" How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name.

And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?" With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, "Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!" I thought I had answered well, but God asked, "THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?" I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect." "THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY IN EARNEST?"

No answers. Only tears.

The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?" The tears continued to roll down my cheeks. "Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"

I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.

"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all."

"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?"

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When I my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, "Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."

The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child."

I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?"

The Lord answered, "Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever."

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done?

I asked Jesus, "How much do you love me?" Jesus answered, "This much." as He stretched His arms and died on the cross for me. (And you too!) I then bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior. And for the first time, I truly prayed. 

Provided by Free Christian Content.org

Hold On...

Author - Unknown

Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His mother in the house was looking out the window saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him.

From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal, and on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, 'But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go.'

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, or anything quite so dramatic, but the scars of painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. 

The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful. He did not and will not - let you go. 

Just for Laughs

Christian Bumper Stickers

  • The best way to get even is to forget.
  • Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death.
  • God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
  • Some folks wear their halos much too tight.
  • Some marriages are made in heaven, but they ALL have to be maintained on earth.
  • Unless you can create the WHOLE universe in 5 or 6 days, then perhaps giving "advice" to God isn't such a good idea!
  • Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up.
  • Words are windows to the heart.
  • A skeptic is a person who when he sees the handwriting on the wall claims it's a forgery.
  • It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill, just add a little dirt.
  • A successful marriage isn't finding the right person, it's being the right person.
  • The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground. Too many people offer God prayers with claw marks all over them.
  • The tongue must be heavy indeed because so few people can hold it.
  • To forgive is to set the prisoner free and then discover the prisoner was you.
  • You have to wonder about humans; they think God is dead and Elvis is alive!
  • You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.
  • If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher.
  • And last but not least -- God gave the angels Wings, and He gave humans CHOCOLATE.

   

The Church Car

The minister of a well-attended, strong, and enthusiastic church often showed himself ready and able to deal with any situation that might come up.

One Sunday, just as the minister was reaching the climax of his sermon, his own young son entered the church, ran to the center aisle, started making loud beeps and brrrmms like a car without a muffler, then zoomed right toward him.

The minister stopped his sermon, pointed directly at his son, and commanded, "Jimmy, park the car immediately beside your mother on that bench (pointing), turn off the ignition, and hand her the keys."

The sermon continued undisturbed after a good laugh by the congregation.

 


Did You Know ?

  • Of the 650 types of leeches, only the Hirudo medicinalis is used for medical treatments.
  • The heart of a blue whale is the size of a small car.
  • The tongue of a blue whale is as long as an elephant.
  • A blue whale weighs as much as 40 rhinos.
  • The eel is the only fish in the world that spawns in the middle of an ocean but spends its adult lives in rivers.
  • The scales of a crocodile are made of ceratin, the same substance that hooves and fingernails are made of.
  • A crocodile’s tongue is attached to the roof of its mouth and cannot move it.
  • A snail has two pairs of tentacles on its head. One pair is longer than the other and houses the eyes. The shorter pair is used for smelling and feeling its way around. (Some snail species have only one pair of tentacles, thus they have just one eye.)
  • The heaviest crustacean ever found was a lobster weighing 42 lb (19 kg), caught in 1934.
  • The largest jellyfish ever caught measured 7’6? (2,3 m) across the bell with a tentacle of 120 ft (36 m) long.
  • The largest giant squid ever recorded was captured in the North Atlantic in 1878. It weighed 4 tons. Its tentacles measured 10 m (35 ft) long.
  • The giant squid has the biggest eyes of any animal: its eyes measure 16 inches (40 cm) in diameter.
  • Domestic cats purr at about 26 cycles per second, the same frequency as an idling diesel engine.
  • Sharks are immune to almost all known diseases.
  • Sharks and rays also share the same kind of skin: instead of scales, they have small tooth-like spikes called denticles. The spikes are so sharp that shark skin has long been used as sandpaper.


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