Share the Hope

April 30, 2013

What do you say when someone asks,
Why do you have hope in such troubling times?

"Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and
always be ready to give defense to everyone
who asks you a reason for the hope that is in
you." (1Peter 3:15)

Giving God Credit

April 28

"Maybe I need to be fulltime in Christian service," my friend said.

 "Maybe it isn't about being in fulltime service but about being a fulltime Christian."

"That statement didn't come from me", I added, "it just came out of my mouth."

"We both needed to hear it," he said.

"Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given
us ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 6:18)

More Positives from God

April 27,2013

More of  God has all the positives.

"I can't do it."

"I can do all things through Christ." Philippians 4:13


"I don't know where to begin?"

"Seek and you shall find." Matthew 7:7


"I feel all alone."

"Lo I am with your always." Matthew 28:20

God has the positives

April 26, 2014

For all the negatives we say, God has a positive reply.

"It's impossible."
"All things are possible." (Luke 18:27)

"I'm too tired."
" Come to me. all you who are weary  and burdened,
and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

 "I don't know what to do."
"Acknowledge me in all your ways and I will direct
your steps." (Proverbs 3:6)

More tomorrow.

How to astonish others

April 25, 2013


"Always do right. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest."
                                                                                           Mark Twain

extracted from 101 Things You hear and learn Along the Way

"Righteousness guards the person of integrity." Proverbs 13:6

Inspirational

April 24,2013

"We stereotype people in the world. So if the world thinks you are not good enough,
it's a lie. Get a second opinion."
                                                   Nick Vujicic, born without arms or legs
                                                     became an international speaker

Extracted from Things I've learned ALONG THE WAY

A Special Moment

April 23, 2013


While dancing she whispered in my ear,
"Thanks Dad for a fairy tale wedding."

I thought to myself, "Thank you Father
for a blessed day and life."

"How precious is your loving kindness,
0 God!" Psalm 36

Who else but God

April 21

 

 I had gone to the mall for a job interview. I spotted a man pushing a broom when I entered and I figured he must know where the main office is.  He was very pleasant and appeared to know a lot about this mall.

 

During my interview for a management position I mentioned the nice man I encountered pushing the broom. Guess I thought I would put in a good word for him since he showed kindness to me. After I described him they smiled and said, “Oh that’s Jeff, he owns this mall. That is one of the ways he gets to talk with the customers.” I was hired as a manager of that mall.

 

After that Jeff and I kept bumping in to each other. He was always cordial and we would have friendly albeit brief conversations. Several months went by and then I learned that Jeff had sold this mall for something around $29,000,000. Shortly after this the new owners gave me an envelope to deliver to Jeff’s home.

 

I wasn’t surprised to find that his home was a mansion right on the water but I was surprised when I pressed the front door bell and it was Jeff who opened the door. He greeted me warmly and invited me into his home. He opened the envelope and told me that it was a sizeable check representing his part of the commission of the sale of the mall. He or someone in his family was a licensed real estate broker. Then he shared with me that his family foundation was inundated by requests for money. He said he was really looking “to find something to give to that is making a difference.” Since I didn’t immediately respond he said, “If you run into any, let me know.”

A couple of years went by and I was going down a back road near the coast when I see a guy standing by his car on the side of the road. It is Jeff. He has run out of gas and I offer to take him to the nearest filling station. It turns out to be some distance before we reach a station. We chat. I ask him if he is still looking for an organization to give to that is making a difference. He asks what I have in mind. I tell him about a new organization called Gifts From God, which is feeding the hungry and helping families needing furniture or providing a car free to struggling single moms. By the time we are back to his car with a can of gasoline he has agreed to meet with Mike Butterfield, the president of Gifts from God. From that meeting came a much needed seed grant from Jeff’s family foundation.

 

A year later I am driving on Laurel Road in Venice and I am rounding a curve and there is Jeff standing by his car on the side of the road. Yep, out of gas again.  “You have come to my rescue again, it must be time for another grant to Gifts From God,” he grins. It was.

 Who else, but God ,could orchestrate such timely chance meetings like this?

 

Lloyd Keith

Osprey,Fl.

The foot of the Cross

April 17

Joy climbed the stairs to a large outdoor cross, knelt and prayed. When she lifted her head she gasped.
There were scores of rosary beads, hair pretties and photos lying about. She said the scene spoke volumes to her.

"We can take everything we need from the cross like; hope, love, grace and salvation. We are invited
to leave at the foot of the cross what we don't need like: worries, fears and our sins. Not hair pretties."

"Come take up the cross, and follow me." (Mark 10:21)

More humor with a message

April 16, 2013

"Always do right. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest."

                                                                                     Mark Twain

Time to Giggle

April 13

She had met a woman downtown to see a movie, They had some time before the show so
they went into one of those photo booths to take their picture. Once inside they started
giggling like two schoolgirls.

When you was retelling the incident Joy said, "it was hilarious uncontrollable belly
wrenching laughter, the kind that is good for the soul."

Sometimes we need to lighten up and giggle more.

"We were filled with laughter and we sang for Joy," (Psalm 126:2)

Angel Stickers

April 12

Our youngest daughter calls her mother and said she is feeling down. Joy tells her, "Remember the angel stickers I sent you, put one on your forehead and look in the mirror. She did and forgot about it and wore it to work,

People kept commenting on it in appositive way. She had a great day. Depression gone.

"Rejoice in the Lord, always I say again Rejoice!" (Philippians 6:4)

Humor with a message-2

April 12, 2013

"I have a photographic mind but I no longer get same day service."

a retired executive



Humor with a message

April 11, 2013

" Always do right. It will gratify some and astonish the rest."

                                                                          Mark Twain

A Psalm for Us

April 8, 2013

The 23rd Psalm I associated with death because I heard it recited mostly at funerals This beautiful Psalm is really for the living. It is all about us, here and now. Read it again with fresh eyes.

"The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want.
"He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me by still waters,
He restores my soul.

"He guides me down the path of righteousness
for His name's sake
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil for you are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

"Your prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
You anoint my head with oil: my cup runs over

"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever," (NIV)

Thought for the Day

Aril 4,2013

"If you can dream it you can do it."

This is the mantra of Tim Harris...manager of  Tim's Place, a friendly restaurant
      Tim has Down Syndrone  "I'm in charge of hugs," he says.

Key to Daily Living

April 3,2013

Every act begins with a thought. What do we do with the thoughts that feed doubt, worry.selfishness,
temptation. hate, violence and all other evils that plague mankind?

The Bible gives us seven words to help us through a day, each hour, every minute.

"take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Try it. You'll see it works.