Lure trout.
Coat small pieces of sponge with petroleum jelly to simulate fish egg bait.

Prevent car battery corrosion.
Smear petroleum jelly on clean car battery terminals.

Repair stains, rings, and minor scratches in wood furniture.
Cover each scratch with a liberal coat of petroleum jelly, let sit for 24 hours, rub into wood, wipe away excess, and polish as usual.

Remove chewing gum from hair.
Apply petroleum jelly and work into the hair until the gum slides off.

Stop a faucet from screeching.
Remove the handle and stem, and coat both sets of metal threads with petroleum jelly.

Lubricate roller skate and skateboard wheels.
Smear petroleum jelly around the cylinders on the wheels so they roll faster.

Remove a ring stuck on a finger.
Coat finger with petroleum jelly and slide the ring off.

Moisturize your face.
Wash your face thoroughly and, while still wet, rub in a small dab of petroleum jelly. Keep wetting face until the petroleum jelly is spread evenly and does not appear greasy. Health spas use this secret treatment.

Revive dried leather.
Petroleum jelly, rubbed into a baseball glove, softens the leather.

Prevent rust on outdoor machinery.
Apply a generous coat of petroleum jelly.

Avoid splattered paint on windows, metal work, and floors.
Before painting a room, dip a Q-Tip in petroleum jelly and run it around the edges of the glass; coat door hinges, doorknobs, lock latches; and spread a thin coat of petroleum jelly along a linoleum or tile floor (obviously not carpet) where it meets the wall. Paint smears will wipe off with a cloth.

Remove make-up.
Petroleum jelly takes off mascara, eye-liner, lipstick, rouge, and powders.

Prevent the cap from sticking shut on nail polish bottles.
Put a thin coat of petroleum jelly around the rim of the bottle.

Keep shower curtains sliding easily.
Apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly to the curtain rod.

Prevent a sailboat's spinnaker pole fittings from jamming or sticking.
Lubricate with petroleum jelly.

Help prevent diaper rash.
Apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly to a baby's clean bottom before putting a fresh diaper on the tyke.

Prevent outdoor light bulbs from sticking in fixtures.
To make removal easy, rub a thin coat of petroleum jelly on the threads before inserting the bulbs.

Heal chapped lips.
Apply a little petroleum jelly to the lips before going outdoors and again before going to bed.

Remove lipstick stains from linen napkins.
Apply petroleum jelly before washing.

Prevent hair-coloring from dying your skin.
Rub petroleum jelly along hairline before coloring your hair.

Protect skin from wind burn and chapping.
Apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly.

Stop refrigerator racks from sticking.
Coat the edges of the racks with petroleum jelly so the racks glide easily.

Discourage candle wax from sticking to candle holders.
Coat the insides of candle holders with petroleum jelly so wax slides out.

Keep shampoo from getting in a baby's eyes.
Rub a line of petroleum jelly above the eyebrows so shampoo runs off to the side.

Shine leather shoes.
Rub petroleum jelly over the leather and wipe off the excess with a towel.

Tags: Everyday Uses For Petroleum Jelly, SWALK1955

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Cleaning Ceiling Fans
Baby wipes are a quick and easy way to clean your ceiling fan and there is little or no effort or mess.

Blot up spilled coffee from a rug or carpet.
Baby wipes absorb coffee without leaving a stain.

Use as toilet paper after an episiotomy.
Baby wipes are gentle enough for a baby and perfect after an operation on the more sensitive areas of your body.

Soothe hemorrhoids.
Use baby wipes as toilet paper to avoid aggravating sensitive hemorrhoids.

Clean hands after pumping gas or changing the oil.
Keep a box of baby wipes in the trunk of the car.

Store game pieces.
Store loose dice, cards, playing pieces, and small toys in an empty baby wipes box.

Store crayons.
Keep crayons in an empty baby wipes box.

Store screws, nuts, and bolts.
Use empty baby wipes boxes in the workshop to hold loose screws, bolts, nuts, nails, drill bits, and spare parts.

Store crafts.
Organize ribbons, beads, glues, strings in empty baby wipes boxes.

Clean scrapes and bruises.
Baby wipes are great for cleaning a minor abrasion.

Clean shoes.
Simply wipe the shoes with a baby wipe.

Tags: Everyday Uses For Baby Wipes , swalk1955

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Everyday Uses For Baby Powder

Want your bath powder to last longer?
If you love your favorite bath powder, extend its life by adding equal amounts of baking soda or cornstarch or baking powder to the good stuff.

Repel ants.
Sprinkle baby powder in cracks, along a window sill, or under doors where ants enter. Ants will not walk through baby powder.

Help rubber gloves slip on easily.
Sprinkle baby powder inside the gloves.

Give your dog a dry shampoo.
Rub baby powder intoyour dog's fur, wait a few minutes, then brush out.

Cure a squeaky floor board.
Sprinkle baby powder into the crevices along the edges.

Hide a stain on a white suit.
Rub baby powder into the stain.

Clean grease from walls.
Sprinkle baby powder on asoft cloth and rub the spot until the grease disappears.

Keep shoes and sneakers dry and comfortable.
Dust the insides with baby powder.

Prevent sticky sheets on a hot, summer night.
Sprinkle baby powder between the sheets to absorb perspiration.

Give your hair a dry shampoo.
Work baby powder into your hair, then brush out.

Prevent white shirts from absorbing oil and grime.
Lightly sprinkle baby powder on the shirt before and after ironing.

Clean sand off wet skin.
Sprinkle baby powder on skin to remove moisture, and the sand virtually fall off by itself.

Untangle a chain necklace.
Dusting the chain with baby powder will make it easier to untangle.

Soften rough hands.
Apply baby powder as you would hand lotion.

Prevent friction burns when shaving your legs with an electric razor.
Dust legs lightly with baby powder before shaving.

Tags: Everyday Uses For Baby Powder , swalk1955

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Everyday Uses For Honey

Condition hair and prevent split ends and frizzies.
Mix one tablespoon honey and two teaspoons olive oil. Warm the mixture (but not too hot), dip your fingers into it, and rub it into the strands of hair. Soak a towel in hot water, wring out completely, and wrap around your head for twenty minutes. Then shampoo as usual, lathering well to remove the olive oil.

Give yourself a facial.
Mash a banana and add one tablespoon honey. Cover your face with the mixture, let sit fifteen minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Dress wounds and burns.
Apply honey to the injury. Honey is hygroscopic and absorbs water, creating an environment in which disease-producing microorganisms, deprived of their moisture, cannot live.

Soothe a sore throat.
Take one teaspoon of honey at bedtime, letting it trickle down your throat.

Cure a hangover.
Honey is a concentrated source of fructose. Eating honey on crackers helps your body flush out whatever alcohol remains in the body.

Relieve a cough due to a cold.
Dissolve one tablespoon honey and one tablespoon lemon juice in a small glass of warm water and sip it. For a stronger solution, combine equal parts honey and lemon juice, and take one teaspoon at bedtime. Both mixtures may help loosen phlegm.

Substitute honey for sugar when cooking.
Use honey in place of granulated sugar for up to one-half of the sugar. With experimentation, honey can be substituted for all the sugar in some recipes. For baked goods, add about one-half teaspoon baking soda for each cup of honey used, reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe by one-quarter cup for each cup of honey used, and reduce oven temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent over-browning. For easy removal, spray measuring cup with cooking spray before adding honey.

Make children sleepy at bedtime and help prevent small children from wetting the bed.
A teaspoon of honey at bedtime will act as a sedative to a child's nervous system and will attract and hold fluid in a child's body during the hours of sleeping. When a child over one-year old is given honey, the blood and tissue calcium begins to increase. The calcium unites with excess phosphorous to form a compound that makes bones, teeth, hair, and fingernails. The sedative effect on the nervous system of a child may be observed within an hour. Honey should not be fed to infants under one year of age. Honey is a safe and wholesome food for older children and adults.

Help heal Erysipelas.
Generously cover the affected area with honey, then cover with cotton for 24 hours. Repeat if necessary.

Tags: Everyday Uses For Honey children, swalk1955

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Tags: What if this arrived in the mail today? swalk1955

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Helicopter parents, it is time for you to land. It is time for us to take a long hard look at how we are raising our children and ask ourselves one important question.

I understand that life is complex these days. But with all of our advancements in society, do you think we are doing right by our children? Don't you think some old fashioned parenting is what is missing in this world? You do the school project because she gets frustrated. You make an immediate appointment for a meeting with the teacher at the first sign of anything less than perfection to address this issue ( with the teacher, not your kid), you are all smiles and nods when signing the beginning of season information about your child's team, and in complete agreement on how the team will be worked, and how issues will be addressed. But when it is your kid who is being disciplined, what happens? Do you guide your child to an understanding of how to deal with it, and prevent issues in the future, or do you confront the coach and get all "up in his business?"

People, life is simple. Focus on the love and not the fear. Teach your kids the same. Be accountable for what you do and say. Give back and share the best parts of yourself with others. Smile. Leave the world in a better state than when you arrived.



We need to guide our children to find their own respectful voice, and learn how to deal with difficulty, accepting their part in it, and bouncing back from it wiser and stronger. In the big picture, how are we raising resilient and accountable human beings if we send the message that the rules apply to everyone else, but them?

I'm not perfect, by any stretch of the imagination. But here's some tips I've found to work in raising a resilient and accountable child to be a resilient and accountable adult:

• Be accountable yourself. Stand up and take responsibility. Your children are watching you and how you conduct yourself. Stop the blame and shame game and present a shining example. Show your children that with accountability for your circumstances, you can have the life of your dreams.
• Don't be a helicopter parent. For God's sake, stop hovering, land the aircraft, and see what your child can do for themselves when you aren't in their airspace. Let them spread their wings a little because that is the only way they will learn to fly.
• Talk to them about what they will learn and take from the hard times. Yes, I know that the gut instinct is to fix things when they go wrong for your baby. After all, you love them right? I know you want to march up to that teacher, coach, bully and make this go away. In some cases, it is necessary. In some cases, it is easier to do it yourself. But what about an alternative? What about taking the time to teach them how to navigate those situations independently? What about guiding them, and then standing back to watch them deal with difficulty successfully? Think of your child's smiling face as he or she tells you how "they took care of it" themselves.
  

I want you to ponder something. When we do and do and do for our children, what is our motivation? Are we trying to protect them from the difficulties happening in their lives, or are we working to prevent them from experiencing things like we endured in our own lives? Are we trying to take away the pain we felt all those years ago?

Here's the hard fact. With every experience that we shield from our children, there is a chance we are preventing them from gaining knowledge and perspective that will allow them to build resilience, to become accountable for their own happiness? By taking away the exposure to real life issues, are we not also taking away their chance to learn?

I know. I get it. You want to protect your child. But maybe we can all exhale a little and realize that we can still be supportive, protective and loving parents without raising children that feel they are the exception to the rules of the world. Maybe we can gently guide them to take responsibility for their individual successes, failures and happiness. Because one day, they will be.

We all need the chance to figure some of this stuff out on our own. It's what makes us who we are. Give our children the chance to rise to the occasion. Because when they are grown, and you are not within hovering distance, they will thank you for giving them the tools to live a successful and happy life.

Stepping away from the soapbox,

Tags: children, love, swalk1955

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http://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/play-the-lottery/

Play Age UK’s Weekly Lottery and you’ll have 1‚000 chances of winning a cash prize every week and the satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting our work helping older people.

Tags: age, uk, lottery, swalk1955

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1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don’t have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a ‘green’ way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel?Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won’t leave streaks and won’t harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Tags: CUCUMBERS. SWALK1955

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If it came down to your life or death

When asked what would you say?

If asked to you believe in God

Would you brag or shy away?



When people try to admire you

For all the Word in you.

Do you step up and minister to them?

It’s the least that you can do.



When given the chance, lead the way

For those who don’t know God.

Share with them how good God’s been

Or let them think you’re odd.



You should never ever dull God’s light

As it tries to shine through you.

You’ll never know when your shining light

Did indeed help someone through.



So don’t be ashamed, it’s time to brag

About God’s goodness in your life.

In the end your light that shone so bright

May have helped another conquer strife.

Sitting around wondering why

I seem to be standing still.

All my friends are doing well

It leaves me feeling ill.



Why can’t I see success in life

Have I done something wrong?

The Word does say your day will come

But it’s taking oh so long.



The truth is that we don’t know when

The where or even how.

Anxiety attacks, depression sets in

Because we want to have it now.



God will show us all we’ll have

And what we’ll do one day.

The only thing He doesn’t share

Is what’s along the way.



We therefore must hold on to the truth

That God will set us free.

Regardless of how it looks right now

You’ll be who you’re to be.

Some think about it way too much

Sometimes to the very last breath.

It bogs the mind, both young and old

What happens to us after death.



The fear grips some ‘til they get sick

The answer they cannot find.

The turmoil and unrest they feel

Starts in their very own mind.



Without the Word you stay in fear

You’re constantly seeking peace.

What happens when your breath is gone

Will all your unrest cease?



“To be absent in the body is to be with the Lord”

That’s the promise if you live right.

Don’t wait to late to change your ways

You may not live through the night.



Death, bring it on, you have no sting

It just means my time has come.

Time to be back with my Lord

Which won’t be witnessed by some.

My Heavenly Father watched me as I cried a tear today.
He took it and He caught it and He blew it far away,
I felt the pain melt inside, then I realized,
My Heavenly Father was standing, very closely by my side.
I felt the comfort as I prayed and I thanked him from my heart.
For His comfort and His caring and His kindness on my part.
He doesn't owe me anything. He died up the cross,
To give me life eternal and He suffered pain and loss.

His tears fell down upon the earth, on that saddened day.
While all the people mocked Him, the clouds all turned to gray!
I hang my head in sadness, for His suffering on that day!
I wish I could have been there to wipe His tears away.
So when you think your day is bad and feeling very low,
Just think about our Savior, His sorrow, pain and woe!


He didn't die for nothing He had a greater plan,
He wants us to follow His work and great command.
So read your bible daily and you will come to know.
Why Jesus died upon the cross and why He loves us so.

Just close your Eyes and open your heart,
And feel your worries and cares depart.
Just yield yourself to the Father above,
And let him hold you secure in his love.
For life on earth grows more involved,
With endless problems that can't be solved,
But God only ask us to do our best,
Then he will take over and finish the rest...

So when you are tired, discouraged and blue,
There is always one door that is open to you,
And that is the door to The House of Prayer,
And you'll find God waiting to meet you there.
And The House of Prayer is no further away,
than the quiet spot where you kneel and pray.
For the heart is a temple when God is there
As we place ourselves in his loving care.
And he hears every prayer and answers each one
When we Pray in His name - Thy will be done.
The burdens that seemed too heavy to bear
Are lifted away on the wings of a prayer

Just as there is no beginning or ending to a circle...
there is no beginning or ending to God's Love...

 No longer do you have to roam Come rest here next to me I'll tell you of a sacred home Luminous- with perpetual shine Built by master carpenter With tender hands divine. There is one door to enter through one door only … pure and true we are all children in this place Brought in by love and saved by grace. Bread and wine you'll always find Blessed tables and gold chairs Music playing Family praying and angels on the stairs. Jesus lit this house with light He is the lamp that burns so bright Jesus touched our heart with song That fills the air all the day long. Come closer friend and look around To know this Home's on sacred ground To Jesus, our Saviour we'll always cleave The home He built ... we'll receive and we never, ever have to leave. Thanks be to God. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 2 Corinthians 5:1-2

For so many years I lived my life
the best that “I” knew how.
I’m amazed I made it this far
when I look back on “me” now.
I so longed to be accepted,
to fit in, be recognized,
be really liked, have real, true friends,
and I made wrong turns and believed lies…
I really wasn’t happy
and gave up in resignation.
I’d never have my dreams come true,
no cause for jubilation
in my life. I’d always be a “black sheep”,
be just an embarrassment,
my life just one big failure
and I wallowed in resentment
and self-pity ‘til I would have drowned
in the muddy waters I had made
that swirled dizzying around me.
There seemed no hope I could salvage
even one shred of real joy,
seemed like everything I cared about
somehow managed to be destroyed.
I’d paste on a happy smile,
yet I found few reasons left to care…
I’d live my life the best I could
not getting anywhere.

Then Christ tapped me on the shoulder,
knocked at the door of my heart.
We talked. I listened to Him.
He offered me a whole new start.
Gladly I accepted.
My life was such a mess.
He promised if I’d follow Him,
my life, my way, He’d bless.

And Christ did…

For a while my life was better.
I was living on a high
that bordered on euphoria;
I couldn’t get enough of Christ.
I was telling folks about Him.
Some scoffed. I felt more shunned.
Oh, there seemed to many obstacles
for me to overcome
and I began to wander,
take detours from “God’s Way”,
days would go by, sometimes weeks
when I even failed to pray
and it wasn’t long ‘til I was lost,
on the wrong road again,
only calling on the Lord
when I thought I needed Him,
complaining, pleading, bargaining,
but He wasn’t answering my prayers,
not the way I thought He would,
not in any way that I could see.
Even God viewed me with apathy,
as He looked down on me
from His mighty throne up there
judging me with His contempt
for all my hopes and dreams…
and my faith was sorely spent.
Sometimes I even doubted
He was real or even there
and somehow I convinced myself
for me God would not care.
If He did, He was, He wasn’t listening…
I felt so completely all alone.
It seemed just me against the world
and I was failing on my own.

I saw me as a total failure,
my hopes and dreams stuck in the mire,
not much about me anyone
could really love or would desire.
I’d been a mediocre student.
I’d failed as a wife.
I was just a so-so parent.
That is how I viewed my life.
I was not the good daughter.
I've always felt criticized.
Whatever Ithought favorable
was wrong in someone’s eyes.
Where I knew I had been wronged
was called exaggerations,
just stories I was making up
from an over-active imagination.
I had mistook intentions…
but I wasn’t lying then,
so I escaped into the world
of a “good life” called pretend…
But pretend soon catches up with you,
you can’t live that way to long.
There are no two ways about it,
wrong is wrong, is wrong
and I was on the wrong road
and living with excuses.
The direction of one’s life comes
from the paths one chooses
and from not facing life square on,
in doing not about it.
It took some hard knock lessons,
and I tell you, I don’t doubt it,
I must have been a challenge,
even to the Lord.

Life isn’t always easy.
God never said that it would be,
but Christ said and He promised,
if you pick up your cross and follow Me,
I will lead you in the right way
and attend to all your needs.
You don’t need to struggle all alone,
be discouraged, live with strife.
He said, pick up your cross and follow Me,
“I am the Way, the Truth, the Life.”
Pick up your cross and follow Me,
just trust Me and believe.
Bring all your hopes, your hurts, your sorrows
and give them all to Me.
I’ll take them and I’ll carry them,
I’ll make your burden light,
give you no more than you can handle
and lead you on the path that’s right.
I gave my life for you, Christ said,
in that place called Calvary
and I live again that you may live…
I’ll make life new. I’ll set you free
from all those heavy burdens,
all those sins in your past.
Come home. I’m waiting for you.
All you need to do is ask.
Ask and I’ll forgive you.
Ask and I will lead,
Ask and I’ll provide for you
every thing you’ll ever need.
I will comfort you in sorrow,
I will heal you when you’re ill,
give you everything according
to the Father’s perfect will…

And I came home to Him and Oh the joy
I’ve known since that glorious day;
Life’s not easy street but it’s wonderful
now I’m living life God’s way.
I’m not perfect. I still stumble,
now and then do foolish things
but I’m growing and I’m learning
and I’m the daughter of the King…
And I have but one regret,
all the wasted years I spent
taking detours, going “my way”,
denying my inheritance.
I have a life, eternal life.
I am loved. I am forgiven.
I have a mansion, fields and flowers
awaiting me in Heaven,
all that God has promised
when I follow in His way…
And He is coming back to take me home
to live with Him someday.
Though sometimes I still do things
if I thought first I wouldn’t do,
now that I’m walking with my Lord
my life has sure improved.
I now find my wants are very few,
my needs, I haven’t any,
through Christ they’re daily filled,
He sees that I have plenty
according to God’s perfect will,
of blessings, I have many.
The best day of my life now past,
far worse than my worse day today.
Life is getting better all the time
living life God’s way.

“He has showed you, Oh man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8

Two summer blockbusters tell us more about ourselves than we realize. The first movie, Iron Man, is an adaptation of Marvel Comic’s series about billionaire weapons maker Tony Stark who dons a suit of armor to fight those who use his technology to hurt others. The irony is that Stark’s product is weaponry, which always kills and destroys regardless of the intentions or ideologies of the user. Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) is forced to overcome his own self-indulgence and lack of concern for others when thrown – literally, blown – into a world of realistic suffering.

The second movie is The Dark Knight. In the new Batman movie, we witness an all-too-human hero (Christian Bale) whose fight against evil is really a reflection of his internal struggle for a healthy heart and mind after personal tragedy. In The Dark Knight, as in all Batman movies, crime plagues the city and an evil nemesis shows up to wreak havoc, to test and tempt the heart of the superhero before the final fight begins.

Iron Man and Batman have two obvious similarities: both have “man” in their names; “man” is the last three letters of HUMAN. We all struggle with a dark side and have to get up each day and overcome it with God’s help. Like these two heroes, the only hope we have is by putting on a suit of armor (see Ephesians 6:13) which gives us the attitude, the mindset and the internal power of the Holy Spirit to generate supernatural living.

Like our superheroes, we want to see justice in the world. The thought that we could do something about world hunger, child abuse and exploitation, makes our hearts beat fast. Good people are angered by the pain and despair of others. Watching movies about superheroes and loving mercy may cause us to think, but we must move on to doing justice.

Are you like Batman, praying to overcome the dark side in your own life so you’ll be ready to fight the good fight when called upon? Are you like Tony Stark before the change of heart, focused on your wants and desires? Or, perhaps you are already on a mission to do as much good and help as many people as you can. Today is a great day to put down the popcorn, suit up and start living before the movie is over.

“People were overwhelmed with amazement, ‘He (Jesus) has done everything well,’ they said. ‘He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak’”
— Mark 7:37

People living significant lives pursue excellence. They lead their organizations, their families, their businesses, and, in fact, their very lives striving for their best. Whether they want to win games, to make an impact on their children, or to win their share of the market, the thread of excellence runs through the fabric of their lives.

Jesus was committed to excellence. The New Testament writer Mark reminds us that God gave his very best-his Son. And his Son gave his very best-his life. His followers should do no less. Less than our best is inadequate considering the fact that God has given us his very best. In view of all the Lord has done for us, less than our best is less than adequate.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry.” Whatever our role, our position, our organization, or our lot in life, we should strive for the best. The measure of our success should not be attached to our particular career or what we earn, but on our character and what we give.

Excellence does not mean being the best, but being your best. Understanding that variation makes all the difference in the world.

Excellence is not success. Success is being the best. Success means being better than everyone else is. Excellence is being better than you were yesterday. Success means exceeding the achievement of other people. Excellence means matching your practice with your potential.

Excellence is not perfectionism. Perfectionism means doing everything perfect. Excellence is doing the best you can with what you have.

Excellence is not being “good enough.” Just “good enough” is a cop-out attitude that is negative and defeating. Excellence is going the extra mile. Excellence knows that good enough is not good enough.

Excellence is not arrival. Arrival says, “I’ve mastered it. I’ve done it. I have arrived.” Excellence is found in the journey, not in the destination. Excellence is a process, the long-term pursuit of quality.

Being our best comes easier when we are in the right place using our gifts and talents for something we care deeply about.

Discover your niche. Excellence requires finding what we do well then doing it. When we discover our niche it helps us exercise our spiritual gifts and natural talents. Consequently, it helps us to prioritize our time, finances, and other resources. It aids us in saying no to the many demands, comparisons, and comments that might sidetrack us.

Give attention to detail. The difference between something good and something great is the attention to detail. In the end people will never know how long it takes one to do something. They will only know how well it is done.

A commitment to work. Long ago an ancient Greek wrote, “The gates of excellence are always surrounded by a sea of sweat.” It takes work to achieve excellence. There are no shortcuts. God plays an important role in that process. And we play an important role, too.

“Some people have greatness thrust upon them. Very few have excellence thrust upon them. . . . They achieve it. They do not achieve it unwittingly by ’doing what comes naturally’ and they don’t stumble into it in the course of amusing themselves. All excellence involves discipline and tenacity of purpose.”

Focus your mind. Your mind needs to stay in the present in order to pay complete attention to the task at hand. You can go anywhere their mind can imagine, at any time. Unfortunately, errors occur when you are distracted. You must focus your mind to remain firmly planted in the here and now.

In my pursuit of excellence I have discovered that champions are more willing to give than to get. They go the extra mile. They move beyond expectations. They strive for higher standards.

It would seem that the more a person makes, the easier it would be to give. But that is not the case!

Possessions have a way of possessing. A wealthy person may give a larger dollar amount, but a proportionately smaller amount than a poor person.

God looks at the proportion, not the amount. It is within the grasp of every person to please God with their giving because He weighs the gift not in dollars but in sacrifice.

Jesus saw among those bringing their gifts to the temple a widow. Her offering was “two very small copper coins", worth very little. Yet she is the one He commended. She did not give a pittance out of her excess, but gave excess out of her pittance!

Jesus is interested in the heart that gives, not the hands that have. He did not commend the rich for the size of their gifts, but the widow for the size of her heart.

With prosperity comes a peril. A person no longer has things, but things have a person.

Do a heart exam on yourself. Is it a heart that Jesus would commend... or condemn?

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness...” (1 Timothy 6:6, 10-11 NIV).

During the Exodus, the ancient Hebrews had escaped the slavery and punishment of Egyptian rule. On their journey home to Israel they witnessed the miracle of God parting the water at the Red Sea that brought doom to their Egyptian pursuers. These people had everything. God guided them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. God’s leader, Moses, was out in front of them. God provided nourishment with manna from heaven and water from the rock. They were surrounded by unparalleled privileges. God’s presence was constant. His workings were evident. In fact, one would think that these people would be the epitome of godliness, if for no other reason than out of gratitude for what God had done for them. But they were not. The apostle Paul wrote of these people, “Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert” (1 Cor. 10:5 NIV). As they journeyed from Egypt they played games with their lives and with their God.

That is dangerous business.

What happened to these potential saints? What caused their demise? Paul, again, surmises their tragedy and demise, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play” (1 Cor. 10:7 NASB), or, “indulge in pagan revelry” (1 Cor. 10:7 NIV). It sounded like a fraternity party. The supernatural became commonplace. God-talk abounded. But they lacked a reverence and awe for God. They became callused to the divine. They became nonchalant in their values. They forgot their heritage. Apathy ran rampant. They did not mean business with God. The relationship with him became a farce.

Sound familiar? Never in the history of the world has one country been so blessed. We are inundated with churches, Christian radio and television, Christian magazines and books, Christian schools, Christian conferences and seminars. Never has the potential for religious instruction been so paramount. Our churches should be overflowing with godly men and women. Are they? All too often, we walk down the same paths of carnality as these ancient Hebrews. We make light of what we should honor. We wink at what we should weep about. We play with what we should take quite seriously.

The children of Israel serve as a warning to every believer. Heed the warning. Take God seriously.

Finding your purpose in life is often one of the most difficult things we desire to do. What job is meant for you? How do you know what you really want to do in life?

After all the hard work studying, you’ve finally graduated from school. After all the hard work applying for a job, you’ve finally landed a job that pays you. And after all the hard work finding other jobs, you’ve finally landed a job that pays you well. Happy? Why not? Isn’t this what you really wanted to do all along? What seems to be missing? Why do you feel as though you’re starting from the very beginning? Worse, you feel you don’t even know where to start. For the first time in a long time you ask yourself, “What do I really want to do in life?”

I’ve asked myself the same questions, and of all the questions I’ve ever asked myself, this is one of the hardest indeed. But there is a way. And we must believe that all those who seek ernestly finds the answer that they seek.

Following are some of the things that helped me realize what it is that I really wanted to do, what it is that would make my life worthwhile and meaningful. It’s certainly not an easy journey, and it’s easier said than done. It may take even years for some, but take heart, and believe that it is never too late to find the answer you’re looking for.

1. Remember you childhood dreams

We weren’t always the growups we are today. Once upon a time we were just kids learning to walk, talk and find our way in this world. Once upon a time we had the imagination to dream and to feel in our hearts what we really wanted to do. But something happened along the way. The necessities imposed upon us and the prejudices society taught us made us think differently. We lost touch of the child within us, the child who knew how to dream and to believe in that dream.

Get in touch with that child again. Hear his voice. Pretend you’re not afraid of the many difficulties that lie ahead. Pretend you haven’t heard of what the many other grownups around you say a responsible person should be doing. Think everything is possible, as when the time you believed in magic and fairytales. Think God can grant you your heart’s desires. What do you want? What would you ask for? What have you asked for when you were once a child? Did you want to be a doctor then and heal people? Did you want to be a teacher and feed the mind of young ones with knowledge and wisdom? Did you want to be an artist and paint the world with colors? Set yourself free. Oftentimes, what we really wanted to do, we already knew since when we were but children when our hearts were yet pure and our minds unbridled by the many rules the world has taught us later when we grew up.

2. Explore

Now that you already have the means to support yourself, you can finally do things you’ve only dreamed of before! On my part, I was able to go to places I’ve never been to; I was able to attend seminars like 3D animation, scr i ptwriting, and playing the guitar; I was able to buy a digital camera and experiment on taking pictures; I was able to buy an oven and the ingredients needed to bake and cook; I was able to play computer games as much as I wanted and design my blog for hours using the computer I bought myself; I was able to buy the books I’ve always wanted to read.

I have the means now to finally explore the things that delight me and interest me. I can finally nourish the dreams the child in me used to dream only with her heart and with her head.

Explore. Don’t think you need only to do the things where you can get outright monetary returns. Just set yourself free, now as an adult who knows how to enjoy yourself. Do what you want. It will lead you to those things you would want to be doing all your life.

3. Make a survey

The people around us usually have clues about our strengths, talents and skills, and the things that we enjoy doing. Ask these people. They may even tell you things you haven’t realized yet, like a good singing voice you’ve always kept to yourself before! Or you may discover that you’re a good leader, and that you inspire the people you work with. You may discover how many people count on your wisdom and insights and thus, seek your counsel for important decisions in their life. Make a survey, and let it guide you in your discovery.

4. Fear not your own beauty and strength

In your journey of discovery, you may sometimes get a vision of yourself, your best self, the one you’ve been searching for all along. But oftentimes too, we immediately disregard this vision, for we cannot believe it to be true. It overwhelms us to think we can be that beautiful and talented and strong. We regard it as an illusion we can never reach, and we settle for the next best thin that comes to our mind. Don’t do that. For God did not intend us to settle for something lesser than His greatest plan for us. God made us to be the best and most beautiful we can be.

Have you ever felt those times when the cross you’re carrying seems heavier than it should be? Much heavier than you can bear? Much heavier than the crosses other people are carrying? In fact, why carry your heavier cross?

Our crosses it seems, vary greatly in the burden and the difficulties they inflict upon us. Why do some crosses appear to be far easier? And why do some appear to be so huge and heavy, our trust upon God’s wisdom and justice is already shaken to its very core?

We see rich, beautiful people whose only problem it seems, are the next orders they’re going to pick from the menu. And then we see beggars who don’t even have a place to sleep at when night falls. We see celebrities gambling loads of money in a casino. And then we see parents doing back-breaking work day after day, just so they could send their children to school. We see politicians squandering the wealth of the nation, and getting credit for the small portion of funds spent in useless undertakings. And then we see cancer victims, fighting for their next breath, not knowing where in God’s hands they’re going to get the amount needed to provide for the family they’re going to leave behind.


Where indeed is fairness in this life? Where is the easy yoke we have been promised to bear? Is God already playing favorites here? Why a heavier cross to bear?

Oftentimes, when people start asking these questions, the only response they get is something like one of these:
“God works in mysterious ways.”
“Stop that! You’re doubting God’s wisdom.”
“See? There is really no God who guides His people. Either He isn’t real, or He isn’t really good.”

I would not be content with those answers though. There must be some answers more satisfying than those. Following are some of the answers I believe in:

1. We don’t really know the burden people are carrying within

People may appear happy on the outside, but they may actually be crying terribly within. However well-off they appear to be, secret hurts may just be tearing them apart.

Never ever believe instantly the external strengths you see, the smiles that greet your eyes. For sometimes beneath those smiles are tears, and beneath that strength is a yearning to break out and to be understood.

Do we see people who earn more in a day what we could possibly earn in a year? Do we see people who look so happily established in their married lives? Do we see healthy people who can do whatever they want to do be it mountain climbing or spelunking or sky diving? Do we see them and envy them and wish so hard we were the ones in their shoes?

The fact is, there are some things we don’t really see. We don’t see the sad children whose parents are so busy working their way up the corporate ladder. We don’t see lonely wives who have lost their self worth and sunk unto the everyday routine they needed to keep. We don’t see consciences being seared just so money can be earned and ambitions can be reached. We don’t see hearts crying out in loneliness amidst all the external blessings the world believes them to possess.

We don’t see many things. Surely not the things people wanted to hide. They are the only ones who know the true weight of their crosses, and there is no way we could possibly get in their shoes in order to make a fair comparison with the burdens we carry upon our shoulders.

2. We sometimes carry crosses that are not really ours

If you feel you’re carrying so much more burden than you could possibly bear, pause for a while and ponder whether the cross you’re carrying is your own cross and not another one’s burden.

Ask youself, “Is this cross the one God really wants me to bear? Or is this suffering something I have only insisted on inflicting upon myself?”

There are many crosses we insist on carrying, loads we are not suppose to carry in the first place. Due to our stubborness however, we refuse to let it go.

We refuse to forgive the people who have hurt us, because we do not believe they deserve to be forgiven. We refuse to forget our past wounds because we want to get even with those who have caused us pain. We refuse to lay our burdens to God because we don’t trust Him enough to believe everything will be taken care of. Sometimes we even refuse to let other people carry their own crosses because we believe we are the only ones capable of doing the right thing.

Carry only your own cross, my friend. That is all that is asked of you.

3. We do not see that our crosses are in proportion to the strength given us

We may be carrying a far bigger cross upon our shoulders, but have we ever cared to know the resources given us to be able to carry that cross? We were so busy comparing the size of our crosses with our neighbors’, but have we ever cared to compare the strength we have with the strength that they possess?

My friend, the cross given you is in direct proportion to your strength

It doesn’t matter where you are – even in the company of a crowd of unknown people – if you happen to sneeze, at least one person, if not many, will be sure to say to you, “God bless you!” I understand that doing this comes from an old superstition that when you sneezed, you were very near death, and that someone would say “God bless you” in order to “keep the devil away from you,” thus ensuring your safety.

While the superstitions of yesteryear may have passed, the “God bless you’s” still remain to this day. Everyone wants to be blessed, and especially they want to be blessed by the Lord. People who don’t even claim to “be religious” nonetheless want God to bless them! And, as believers in Christ, we not only desire to be blessed by God – we often believe that it is our right to be blessed!

The truth of the matter, though, is that in order to walk in the blessings of the Lord, you must live in obedience to the Lord! You can’t conduct your way of life in disregard to the will of the Lord and still expect that His blessing will rest upon you.

Deuteronomy 28:2 tells us that “all these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God.” This Sunday I want to share three key ingredients for you life if you desire to be blessed by God. Be sure to join us this Lord’s day for our message “God Bless You!”

If I Had Wings Like An Eagle, I’d Soar Up In The Sky.
I’d Fly Above The Clouds And Stars And Planets, Oh, So High.
I’d Fly All The Way To Heaven, And Stand Right Before The Gates.
And I’d Ask The Angels, “May I Come In? My Burden Is So Great”!

I Need To See My Father, And Jesus, Please, Open Up The Gates.
I Have So Many Questions, And I Just Cannot Wait.
I Flew All This Way To See Them, I’m Tired And I’m Cold.
I Have To Have The Answers Now; I Can’t Wait Until I’m Old.

They’d Open Up The Gates And Say, “Just Follow As We Lead,
We Heard That You Were Coming, And It’s Answers That You Need.”
Just Then I’d Get This Feeling, I’d Tremble And I’d Shake.
The Glory Knocked Me To The Ground; I Passed Out And Couldn’t Wake.

Suddenly, The Angels, They Carried Me Right There.
And Laid Me At The Throne Of God, Prostrate And Very Scared.
Then I Heard A Choir, About Ten Thousand Strong.
They Sang, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Is The Lamb Upon The Throne”.

And Then That Awesome Moment When I Could Not Believe My Eyes.
Upon The Throne Were Father God And Jesus By His Side.
Jesus Smiled When He Saw Me; He Gave Me A Big Hug.
He Welcomed Me, And Said To Me, “We’re Glad That You Could Come”.
I Knelt Down Right Before Him, Humbled And So Weak.
He Said, “I Know You Have Some Questions: I Have The Answers That You Seek”.

Why Is The Earth So Evil, Lord? Why Do Babies Die?
Why Do You Allow, All My Friends To Cry?
Why Do People Suffer? Why Is Cancer All We Hear?
Why Are People Starving? And AIDS Is What We Fear.
Why Are All The Teens, Taking Drugs And Getting High?
And Then There Are Their Moms And Dads And All They Do Is Cry.
The Internet Is Home To Pornography And Such,
Why Are There Those Evil Men, Whom Children They Abduct?

Jesus Took My Hand And Pointed To The Right,
He Said, “ Look Over There And See, The Room Without The Light.
It’s Where I Do My Crying, And Weeping Year To Year.
Do You See All Those Bottles? I’m Saving All Their Tears.”
I Looked And There Before Me, Were Bottles Piled High.
This Room Was huge And Reached Unto The Sky.

He Said,” My Dear, Dear Child, Fly Back And Tell Them This:
I Knew It All Before They’re Born, Not One Thing Have I Missed.

Tell Them That I Love Them, So Much They Can’t Conceive.
Tell Them That I Know Of, All The Things They Need.
Tell Them That I Died, Shed My Blood For Them And Won.
So They Could Be Forgiven, No Matter What They’ve Done.

Tell Them Just To Ask Me, To Come Into Their Heart.
I’ll Live With Them Forever – No End – We’ll Never Part.
Tell Them That I Have, A Plan For Them, That’s Good.
I Will Never Harm Them; They’ll Prosper, As They Should.

Tell Them That The Trials, And Pain That They Go Through.
Are To Change Their Character, And Attitudes, It’s True.
The Trials That You Go Through Are Your Ministry, You See.
If Others Go Through Them Like You, Compassion Is The Key.

Tell Them That Compassion Is What I’m All About.
If Selfishness And Greed Abound, How Can You Help Them Out?
Tell Them That The Questions, That You Have Asked Today.
Could Have Been Avoided, If They All Walked In My Way.

My Ways Are Not The Same As Yours; It’s Hard To Understand.
Just Trust Me And Believe In Me, I’ll Hold You In My Hand.
There’s Nothing That’s Too Hard, That I Can’t Do For You.
Just Call To Me And Ask Me, And I Will Help You Through.

There’s Just This One Thing That I Wish, All Of You Would Get.
Love Your Neighbor As Yourselves, Forgive Them And Forget.
The Devil Is A Liar; He Rules The Earth Down There.
But Soon I’ll Come And Get You, No More Burdens Will You Bear”.

And Then He Said, “Go Back Now, And Tell Them All You Heard”.
We Kissed And Hugged And Then I Heard, Him Say These Last Few Words:
“Fly, My Precious Child, Like An Eagle You Will Soar.
Just Do My Will And Don’t You Fear, Your Hope Is In The Lord.”

Loneliness, emptiness, longing for love

Longing for a special one,

Tired of dating and wondering when

I will finally meet someone.



“There is a time to love” in life

“A time to weep,” that’s true.

But the pain of loneliness is wearing me down

And I don’t know what to do.



Lord, take this void away from me

And fill me with Your love.

I know there’s hope and I have faith

In my heavenly Father above.



Let Your essence fill this void

And open my eyes to see,

The one who is to be my love

And share their life with me.



I know it’s written in Your Word

That love can conquer all,

I believe I will find happiness

And that love will answer my call.

When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing “dance” at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn’t flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.
It’s as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw “G,” I thought of God, followed by “u” and “i.”
“God, ‘u’ and ‘I’ dance.”
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God’s blessings
and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God, as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.

As a kid growing up, it frightened me to imagine that there is a judgmental God who will look at me some day and find me guilty for my sins, deciding whether I will go to hell or heaven. Those ideas were taught where I lived. At some point this idea did not make sense to me any more. It is not a true idea. God is love. God is my Father. He loves me, and He will never judge me, because He created me perfect in His image and likeness. That is taught, too, except that they did not say that you are perfect. But I would have to be, if God is perfect. Therefore, what would be there to judge? God does not judge, otherwise he would judge His own perfection, and that is an insane idea. God is. Judgment involves two; something other than the one who is judging. There is only God.

Coming into my teenage years meant for me to lose my contact with God.
I forgot what I loved, and had to find it again.
Praying to God had lost its meaning. There was no longer a reward of an experience of my love for God, like there was, when I was a little girl, praying to Jesus and God like I was talking to a friend. Prayer became a ritual. My love for God fainted from my awareness, and I was stuck in a conceptual idea of God. What happened? In puberty I became upset about myself, worrying and thinking there is something wrong with me. I compared myself with others, which is always a sure way to get lost. I was different, but that doesn't mean I was less or more, worse or better than others. But believing in my own little ideas hindered me to relate to God and other people. I got shy and withdrew myself. How fast we get lost. And there goes the sense of who we are, of life, of God, because reality is not what we say or think it is. It is an experience. What God is thought to be, does not replace what He is.

In my later puberty and during the years to come I rebelled against religious dogma, concluding that there could not possibly be a God that is the author of this world.
God is my Father. Yet He has nothing to do with this world.
No matter what I am capable of, He would never ever let me down into such a nightmare as is this world. But before I knew, I compromised this idea and accepted an agnostic idea. I decided, I don't know. The idea that God is, and had nothing to do with this world - absolutely nothing - yet is still within easy reach, was not within my parameter. Of course, I felt lost, desperate, and was unable to find a purpose.

My senseless wandering must have prepared me for something completely different and new. Out of pure hunger and failure I opened myself up to a new idea, and suddenly it seemed easy to turn my heart and mind again to Jesus. A Course In Miracles found its way to me.
"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect."
(Matthew 5,48)
Everything was different and new, exciting. Dramatic dreams indicated to me, something real is going on with me.

Having had experiences of love and light, of direct contact with God, I am undergoing a continual transformation of my old self-identity and thought to a higher and higher frequency in my awakening to the remembrance of God. Life without God, without love is unbearable. Though I tried to come up with many ideas about how to get along without God, I know that none of them will work, most especially, because they do not offer any happiness, or help to find it. This does not prevent me from stumbling, and giving in to temptation and errors. Yet today is the day. Today, now, in moments of despair, frustration and conflict I turn away from my preconceptions and ask for help.

The more I ask for help, and mean it out of my deep need for a real alternative, the more I receive help of Jesus and the universe, and the less will I enter into conflict. Because God is love. There is no demand, no judgment, no guilt, no cruelty in God. I love God. When I am fearful, I do not exist. God is singular, meaning there is no opposite to Him. That is how I am free. And by living under no law but God's

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple” -Psalm 27:4

Better is one day in your courts… than a thousand elsewhere”… Have you ever felt like staying in church even after the worship or activities have ended? You have felt the presence of God and you simply do not want to leave. Probably, David was feeling the same way when he was writing this psalm. He wanted to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life. He wanted to feel the saving presence of the Lord in his life.

We also seek the presence of God when we go to church each Sunday. However, God does not speak to us with an audible voice from heaven or touches us with His big miraculous hands. He warms us with each other’s faith and zeal. As we express our faith, we express love and care for our brethren as well because a person who has faith is a person who loves… Can we say Amen to that?

Some people are very pleasant with other people but when it comes to their own family members, they are inconsiderate. Let our family feel our love and care. [1 Timothy 5:8]

Superficial wounds heal easily, but emotional wounds hurt more deeply and only the soothing words from a caring brother/sister can bring healing. A Christian is an instrument of God’s warmth most especially for the family of believers. When you see a closely knitted family who cares for each other, you admire it, right? However, when you see a family killing each other, would you want to be a part of it? Of course, not! When the family of believers in a church loves each other, other people would love to become a part of that family [John 13:35].

I know, as sure as morning comes,
That Jesus wasn't born
The same day that we celebrate,
And call now Christmas morn.

But sure, as sure as I exist,
I know He came one day.
And lived the kind of Life He did
To show us all the way.

He suffered all the Pain He did
And died the Death He died
That we might all escape that Fate,
So He was crucified.

And surely we must celebrate
The fact that He was born.
And since we don't know when it was,
Then why not Christmas morn?

And we may well consider too,
On waking every day,
Was this the Anniversary
When Jesus came our way?

Let's celebrate His Life and Death
In all we say and do
By showing that we honor Him
All our journey through

Sometimes we go through dark experiences and we feel overwhelmed by the situation… I hope you’ll relate to this…

When I was sinking fast in the waters of loneliness,
I needed a miracle,a savior to intervene
when anxiety and coldness were kicking in,
I searched desperately without,never looked within
I had a fixed and limited vision
and was blind to the lessons to be learnt from that dark experience
I was overwhelmed by the tyranny of emptiness
yet it was I who gave up my happiness,
gave away the freedom to look at things differently
and fully appreciate the surprises the journey of life brings
My soul was drained from that great depression
My heart ached for a shoulder to lean on
My world quacked,I wanted to yell it all out and I did
I wailed,screamed,broke down on paper
A burden removed,I felt as weightless as vapor
And when I went through the entry in my journal inspired by that plague
I felt a warmth all over me like the kiss of the sun
Ugly life became beautiful art,
Am glad that chapter is done

Do you ever wonder why you're not making the progress in life that you thought you would be making by now?

There is a time in every life to stop and take an inventory. Is it that time for you?

As a new Christian approx ten years ago I was wide eyed and open to everything God had to offer me. I could not wait to see what He would do in my life and really, it has been amazing. I am not the person that I was and every good change in my life is all God but there are still areas of my life that I struggle in.

Let's just be honest...

Occasionally I meet a believer who seems to have it all together. But when you ask them, they will always tell you that they have some struggles.

Christians aren't perfect people. They are forgiven people. Amen?

Does this mean that we should just stop struggling and accept that we're always going to have some area of sin in our life? Of course not.

God's Grace is not simply a plan for forgiveness.

God's Grace is an amazing gift that we will never deserve but receive anyway.
It should be a powerful tool for change in our life. Imagine life without it... no wait - don't - that would be unbelievably depressing!

So what is your struggle?

Whatever your struggle is, God's Grace is sufficient. I know you've heard this before but it's true. Let me say it a little differently...

He has enough Grace to forgive you as many times as it takes to bring you to the point where you've had enough of the sin to finally make a break with it.

I know that you're surprised that you still have this struggle but God isn't.

God knew the pattern of your days before He created you. He knew it and He created you anyway. His love for you is so deep, so genuine, so intimate - and it is not lessened by your struggle with sin.

It would be so easy to just give up and accept that you will always live a mediocre spiritual life and honestly, God won't love you any less if you do that.

But you were created for so much more!

That is what drives me to keep working on my own issues.

One of my favorite life verses is:

"Being confident of this very thing,
that He who has begun a good work in you will
complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
-Philippians 1:6
I am confident that God is still at work in me. Are you?

There is a favorite quote of mine that I have hanging up in my hall way. I don't know who originally coined the phrase but it is really terrific:

"You don't have to be more than
God created you to be - but stop being less."

scr i pture: Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go."




Are you busy and going in so many directions that you find yourself unproductive and unfruitful? When we spread ourselves too thin, we are unable to do justice to anything. That's the time we must eliminate things in our life in order to concentrate. We have to prioritize and let unnecessary things go. Good advice says, "Don't Be Everything - Be Something!" To be something, you must concentrate on the gifts and talents that God has given to you. Find the mold that fits your personality and fulfills the passions of your heart and then flow with it. Too many times we feel that we have to rescue every situation and we fail to wait upon God and listen for His instructions. As a result, we end up taking on every responsibility that comes our way and assuming burdens that God did not intend.




"Being Everything" is like being a swamp. A swamp goes everywhere, yet it goes nowhere. It has no definite borders and is totally governed by the circumstances surrounding it. It is muddy, shallow, and breeds disease and mosquitoes. It is unproductive and unfruitful in every way. When you are overloaded and overwhelmed with tasks that are set before you, you often use the expression "I'm swamped". God does not want you to be "swamped." Instead, He wants you to flow like a mighty river that produces fresh pure water and breeds good food. He wants you to "Be Something". A river has direction and is going somewhere. It has one main objective and goal, which is to get to the sea. It doesn't wander to the right or the left, but continues in a steady path. It may become wide or narrow at different points, but it remains steady, reaching out for its destiny.




Reaching God's destiny for your life means that you must make a decision to "press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). You must persevere by setting priorities and make a determination, like the river, that you will not be distracted. You must follow God's instructions and exercise your faith to complete His plan for your life. As you begin to flow, you will hear God's voice saying, "This is the way, walk in it" (Isaiah 30:21). When you feel swamped, remember, "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace" (I Corinthians 14:33). Allow Him to set your priorities. If you listen to Him, He will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

“Come to me all ye heavy laden

And I will give you rest.”

I’m holding on to that verse, O Lord,

Cause fatigue is at it’s best.



Constantly tired trying to hold on

I see no relief in sight.

The only thing that can help right now

Is for God to come and show His might.



Finances attacked, my body is weak

I’m losing my focus on life.

My head is spinning like I’m in the fast lane

Trying to stay ahead of all this strife.



Lord, stop these thoughts of wanting to give up.

The devil is a lie, he’s through.

I can feel Your light shining down on me

So there’s nothing else they can do.



Exhaustion may try to wear me down.

The devil can play his game.

I’ll seek Your face ‘til the end, O Lord,

And my love will remain the same.

Talk to the Lord when you're feeling bad
Even when you're feeling down,
Talk to Him about your hopes and dreams
Even when no one's around.

Talk to the Lord when trembling in fear
When you feel there is no hope.
Talking to the Lord in the midst of it all
His peace will help you cope.

Talk to the Lord about all of your life
Every decision that you have to make.
Take the time to lift it all up to Him
Your problem and your worries He'll take.

Talk the Lord from the depths of despair
When your heart is racked with pain.
Even talk to Him if you're filled with doubt
When you feel like you're going insane.

When you take the time to talk to the Lord
You put your cares right in His hands.
In that precious time you're filled with peace
And you'll know that He does understand.

Ever notice how you can't out guess God
Trying to figure out what he'll do?
As soon as you do you'll soon find out
He has many more choices than you.

When is He going to bless my life
Just the thought puts a smile on my face.

I can't help but think He's laughing at me
As I rush around place to place.

Sometimes I try to chart the His path
To know what's on His mind.
Then I have to stop and laugh at myself
My God is One of a kind.

Its not your job to figure out how
God brings these things to pass.
Just drop to your knees giving Him praise
That the blessings found you at last.

There's only one way to know God's way
That’s to follow His will each day.
Then His blessings will flow into your life
And it won’t really matter which way.

Lord, cool me from these thoughts of rage
Someone has done me wrong.
This rage it burns down deep inside
My control will not last long.

"Vengeance is mine!" says the Lord.
I know that's what You said.
I just can't stop these thoughts of doom
And wish someone was dead.

My burning desire has turned to fire
My rage won't let me be.
Lord, please come into my heart
That I will be set free.

I must ignore all the hurt and pain
Caused by someone so dear.
My thoughts of rage go on and on
Please Lord, I hope you're near.

I pray and pray for peaceful thoughts
Each time I pray at night.
I pray, O Lord, you'll touch my heart
And help me set things right.

Integrity is what you do
When you think you're all alone.
Do you act the same when you’re by yourself
Or is another side of you shown?

Picking up things that are not your own
Just because they're laying around.
Taking things home as you travel about
Like they're something that you just found.

What about supplies you bring from work
Cause you think they owe you that much.
Toilet paper, supplies and so much more
Are really not safe from your touch.

We really don't look at all this as theft
Cause it’s justified it in our mind.
The need is real is how I feel
If I'm only taking what I find.

Let's get a grip, in the eyes of God
If it's really not yours, put it back.
For God's got more than you'll ever need
He make sure you never suffer lack.

You’ve worked so hard to reach your goal
The goal to answer God’s call.
Many attacks have been thrown your way
But you can’t afford to fall.

A fall means that you lost a battle
In the war between you and sin.
Don’t let the losses get you down
As long as sin doesn’t win.

The battle goes on from day to day
Though battered you must stand tall.
The closer you get to God you’ll know
You can’t afford to fall.

You can't afford to fall in the midst
Of the struggle you must stay strong.
Take the blows but keep your eyes on God
So the fall won't last too long.

Then soon you’ll walk along His path
Your light will be seen by all.
Your purpose is then within your reach
You can’t afford to fall.

The power of prayer is confusing to some

Who think it’s magic in force.

If that’s the way you look at prayer

Then you are way off course.



The power of prayer reaches up to God

Who lets us know He’s there.

He answers with a soothing voice

To let us know He cares.



Depression, loneliness and negative thoughts

Must flee when there is prayer.

God’s love and grace will give you peace

No matter what the snare.



The key to the power of prayer does lie

Within your faith inside.

For doubt destroys what faith you have

Then prayer is laid aside.



So guard the power of prayer you have

Which is your godly treasure.

The power of prayer works day and night

It’s limit too far to measure.

Did you think you heard a voice in your head

Unsure that’s what you heard.

Could it be that God is talking to you

And is trying to give you a word?



He speaks quite often every day

If we take the time to hear.

But we’re too busy many times

To know He’s even near.



The voice of God can be a breeze

Which gives us peace of mind.

That very same voice can be real loud

With a message of a different kind.



His voice can lead the way for us

When we know not what’s ahead.

He is voice can lead to a safe way out

Otherwise you might be dead.



The one thing about the voice of God

He will never lead you astray.

But you must take time to hear His voice

Or you’ll never find His way.

Tags: Dear Lord swalk1955

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