THE PERFECT CHURCH

If you should find the Perfect Church

     Without one fault or smear,

For goodness sake!  Don't join that Church,

     You'd spoil the atmosphere.

If you should find the Perfect Church

     Where all anxieties cease,

Then pass it by, lest joining it

     You mar the masterpiece.

If you should find the Perfect Church

     Then don't you ever dare

To tread upon such holy ground

     You'd be a misfit there.

But since no Perfect Church exists,

     Made of Imperfect men,

Then let's cease looking for that Church

     And love the Church we're in.

Of course, it's not a perfect Church,

     That's simple to discern,

    But you and I and all of us

     Could cause the tide to turn!

JOY

One of the greatest joys I experience is that of watching the Lord work things out in my life.   As I attempt to let go of my own hold on my life and let the Spirit of God direct each day's activities, it is exciting to see things fall into place.  Also, looking back on past days, I see His protecting hand on my life.  It is not an easy thing to let go of your life (I am discovering) but it is definitely most rewarding.  I am reminded of the verse that says, "And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?"  (Luke 12:25)


It is interesting to note how various books come into our hands at the very time that we have needed them.   Many times I have laid aside a book with no time to read it or even interest at that moment and then when I pick it up, the very words I read is just what I needed to hear right then.  God has perfect timing and knows our needs before we even pray about them. If we are truly seeking Him first, then He will take care of those needs at the right time!


As we continue to get more acquainted with Him, truly knowing Him, we will have greater confidence in hearing His voice and moving according to His instruction.  We do not want to be deceived so we must remain steadfast in our desires and motives, putting God as top priority in our lives, not only for those special moments, but for each moment of the day.  Let this be our goal...."That I may KNOW Him...."  Phil. 3:10.  The Amplified says it this way "For my determined purpose is that I may know Him - that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly."  

SINGING HYPOCRITES

1.   We sing "Sweet Hour of Prayer" then are content to pray five or ten 
       minutes a day!
2.  We sing "Onward Christian Soldiers" then wait to be drafted into His 
      service!
3.  We sing "O, For A Thousand Tongues to Sing" and do not use the one 
      we have!
4.  We sing "There Shall Be Showers of Blessings" and fail to go to church 
      when it rains!
5.  We sing "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" and then let the least offence 
      sever it!

6.  We sing "Serve the Lord with Gladness" then fuss about all we have to 

      do!

7.  We sing "I Love to Tell the Story" yet never mention it to anyone.  
                                                                                                         Greystone Bible Church                                                                                                                    

CHRIST IN YOU....THE HOPE OF GLORY!

What is our goal, our heart's desire?  Is it to have eternal life?  Is it to know God?  Or maybe we just want to escape punishment?  


In John 17 Jesus told us what eternal life is - "And this is life eternal, that they might KNOW thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent" (17:3).  Do we really KNOW God or just know about  him?  There is a distinct difference.  We can know about the space program for example, but few of us know the space program.  Sad to say, many are exhibiting by their words and actions that they only know about  Him.  Knowing indicates an intimate relationship.  


If God truly is IN us, can we trust ourselves to do the right thing?  Yes, we can!  First of all, we can know God's voice which comes to us as a small, still voice.  (The devil comes as a roaring lion!)  Secondly, even when we miss it, when we blunder, we know that "the Lord seeing not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (I Sam. 16:7).  God knows our deepest desire or intent.


A very important thing to remember is that human reactions and feelings are not sin.  God gave these to us as a part of our makeup but the way to escape following those flesh feelings is in knowing who you are and to speak the Word of truth.  What we ought to do should naturally flow from WHO we are.  


At times we know God has spoken and we obey, but there are times that seem more questionable.  Do not become frustrated or worrysome or nervous.  When the decision is necessary, the one you make will be right. Trust GOD!  He can change your plans or change your desires.  Our responsibility is to keep our hearts pure before Him.   


"Search me, O God, and know my heart:  try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."    Psalms 139:23,24

DID YOU EVER NOTICE?

DID YOU EVER NOTICE?

A lot of Christians are like wheelbarrows.....

     No good unless they are pushed!

Some are like canoes.....

     they need to be paddled!

Some are like footballs.....

     you can't tell which way they will bounce next!

Some are like balloons.....

     full of wind and ready to blow up!

Some are like trailers.....

     they have to be pulled alone!

Some are like neon lights.....

     they keep going on and off!

And then, for which we thank the Lord,

     some are like good watches.....

     Open faced, pure gold, quietly busy, 

          and full of good works!

                                           (Tract Evangelistic Crusade)

TRUST IN THE LORD

In recent days and weeks various problems and needs of all kinds have come to my attention.  Of all people, we Christians should know how to overcome in these situations.  We should give no place to worry, frustration, confusion, or fear.  How can we accomplish this?  By placing trust in the Most High God.    That sounds simple enough, so what is the problem?

Have we never proven God in the past or do we so quickly forget past victories?  It would be well worth the time, effort and discipline to write, in a special journal, the answers to prayer, revelation of the Word through personal reading, and even visions or dreams we may have that comfort us, to read over in times of weakness or discouragement.  It is an uplifting reminder of God's goodness to us personally.

Our spirit, led by the Holy Spirit, needs to become the ruling force in our lives and when that happens, we will discover that trusting or leaning on our own understanding is fruitless effort.  Who can know the will of God?  Who can really know what is best for us in each situation or how to work out the solution to the problem?  We must learn total dependence upon His wisdom and mercy and grace.  We must abandon our own carnal thinking and trust as Job did...."Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him".   We must have confidence in God who orders the steps of the righteous(Psalm 37:23); who doesn't forsake His saints (Psalm 37:28); who gives strength and blesses His people with peace (Psalm 29:11); who delivers from fear (Psalm 34:4); who heals the brokenhearted and binds up wounds (Psalm 147:3); who answers when we call upon Him (Psalm 91:14-16).

God's Word is full of examples of God's sustaining power through trials and deliverance from them, both Old and New Testaments.  However, we also have modern day examples as well - bookstores are full of exciting accounts of God's never-failing love.  When trials or circumstances arise, go to the Word for reminders of God's precious promises and REST knowing He ALWAYS makes good His promises.

The Meanest Mother in the World

In one of my file folders, I had this little 'article' that I wanted to share.  It was from a church magazine from 1983.  

The Meanest Mother in the World

I had the meanest mother in the world!  While other kids had candy for breakfast, I had to eat cereal, eggs and toast.

While other kids had Cokes and candy for lunch, I had a sandwich.  As you can guess, my dinner was different from other kids' dinners too.

My mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times.  You'd think we were on a chain gang or something.  She had to know who our friends were and what we were doing.

I am ashamed to admit it, but she actually had the nerve to break the child labor law.  She made us work.  We had to wash dishes, make the beds and learn how to cook. 

That woman must have stayed awake nights thinking up things for us kids to do.  And she always insisted that we tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. 

By the time we were teenagers, our life became even more unbearable.  None of this tooting the car horn for us to come running;  She embarrassed us no end by insisting that the boys come to the door to get us.  

I forgot to mention that most of our friends were allowed to date at the mature ages of 12 and 13, but our old-fashioned mother refused to let us date until we were 15.  She really raised a bunch of squares.  

None of us was ever arrested for shoplifting or busted for dope.  And who do we have to thank for this?   You're right, our mean mother.  

I am trying to raise my children to stand a little straighter and taller, and I am secretly tickled to pieces when my children call me mean.  I thank God for giving me the meanest mother in the world.  

Author unknown 

TAKING A RISK

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams before the crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try at all is to risk failure.


But risk we must.
Because the greatest hazard to life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow, 
      but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.
Only the person who risks can be called free.  


                       -- Author unknown

ATTITUDE

I ran across something in a file this morning that I thought I would share......  

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, a giftedness or skill.  It will make or break an organization...a school...a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.

We cannot change our past....We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have.   And that is our attitude....

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.  And so it is with you....

Your life can be enriched with success, recognition, security, energy, achievement, happiness, growth, adventure, health, friendship, love, and inner-peace.  These all can be yours with a proper attitude.

Back again!

I was reminded recently that I had a blog that has been neglected for two years. In fact, I forgot I actually actively wrote in it for maybe two years. After looking it over again, I decided that I will see if I can write my thoughts once again and hopefully someone can benefit from something I have to say or experiences that I share.

In the two years since my last blog life has been pretty normal. We found a good church in our community and are very happy. The "claim to fame" is that our church has no fights. That is a blessing and probably pretty rare. We also have watched sermons online from a very large church in the Tulsa area where the preaching is very practical - something that is understandable and can change lives. http://www.churchonthemove.com/service

Our family is increasing. The oldest grandchildren are married and now one of them is expecting their first child in May. Our step-grandchildren have had babies too, adding to the fun and excitement of family life. Another grandson graduates from high school this spring and college in the fall is getting closer for him. My son got married on 11-11-11 to a beautiful gal and blended their families and homes. My daughters' lives have changed with their families growing. Nothing stays the same and that is good. That shows there is normal life, excitement and progress.

Our pets are the same, LC (our kitty) is 13 years old and Gracee (our Australian Shepherd) is 12. They are doing fine and are fun to have around.

So this is an update now for the past couple of years. I will post some pictures to update a little so hopefully I can continue to write this blog and that others will enjoy what I write.

SOUND WAVES

Science has intrigued me lately and I just received this email which I thought was worth sharing.

SOUND WAVES

Some scientists believe that the smallest particle is not the electron, the neutron, or the proton. It is SOUND, sound waves, or vibrating strings that have “notes.” When you take the smallest atom known (a neutron or a proton) and split it to its smallest form, there is one more particle inside the smallest particle - - a vibrating sound wave.

If this is true, and if the Genesis account is true that God used His words, or sound, to create, then I believe that sound waves are the smallest living substance unseen by the human eye that is at the core of every living thing.“The very stones will cry out.” Luke 19:4

Sound is the main ingredient in the base composition of all created things…. There are sound waves embedded in every created thing. Water particles and other sub-atomic particles actually respond to sound and even voice recognition. Every created thing can hear in a sense and respond in some way, as all things were created with the same core ingredients - - sound and glory. In Psalm 148 God commands the sun, moon, and stars to praise Him. He even commands the mountains and hills to praise Him. All creation has the ability to hear, listen, obey, respond, and worship its Creator.

NASA scientists recently discovered that sound waves of musical harmonious notes were coming from black holes. And other experiments revealed similar results from rock samples taken from outer space. In fact, they found that every created thing has musical sound waves imbedded in it. Why would musical sounds be produced from His creation? The Lord commands everything to worship Him. Hence, rock samples from distant planets emit sounds of worship that we can hear when put under special machines that track sound waves and energy.

Have you ever noticed that when you are traveling alone in the countryside, walking in the woods, or enjoying a beautiful natural setting, you often sense the presence of God? Creation emits “sound waves of worship” that are invisible to your natural ear, but your spirit receives them.

Have you noticed that you often can connect with God easier in a beautiful natural surrounding? I believe that all creation, in its natural state, is worshiping the Creator. There is an on-going symphony praising Him 24/7 in nature. Every created thing has sound waves and responds to sound waves spoken with the Glory and the Spirit of God.

Just saying words or reciting scriptures is not the key. The letter of the law kills, but the Spirit gives life. Get into the glory zone of His presence first, then speak forth and the creation will respond to your word.

Even cancer responds to the sound and command of your spoken words! Doctors use sound waves to treat cancer… using a procedure called high-intensity focused ultrasound, which is high energy sound waves, to destroy cancer cells. The high-intensity words you speak are much more powerful with the Holy Spirit and Glory.

Now you know why Jesus said we could speak to a mountain and it would be removed. God told Moses to speak to the rock and it would produce water. Satan tempted Jesus to turn the stones to bread. He knew it was entirely possible for Jesus to perform this miracle. You can even command broken bones to reconnect. The bones can hear and respond. Body parts and creation can hear and respond!

More soon.....

Personal experience

A friend and I were discussing (through emails) our spiritual experiences. I decided to share this one with you.

When I was nine years old we used to go to "Youth for Christ" meetings in Seattle. My brother, Arlen, would sit with his friends while Mom, Dad and I often sat in the balcony of this large auditorium somewhere in Seattle. At a specific time in the meeting, the lights were turned down low and they always sung the chorus, Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus.... It was a very special time. The excellent meetings had special singers and speakers.

One night we came home and I started crying. I couldn't tell my parents what was wrong but Mom either sensed it or I said enough that she called the pastor. He came over and talked with me. I guess I was feeling conviction. That is when I accepted the Lord.

A very dramatic change occurred. I wanted to tell all my friends about it and get them to go to church. I became a little missionary! :-) I was baptized soon after. We were all to give a little testimony before baptism and I remember the verse I said then as my favorite verse and it stuck with me all my life.... "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus".

I hung onto that one many times throughout my life. And those needs are more than financial. Our needs include emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical. I have claimed it for all! :-)

CLAY BALLS

A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock .. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone.

Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.

Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy.. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each and every one of us If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.

Discussion of 1998

Warren and I have gotten into some pretty good discussions over the years and one Saturday morning in 1998 we decided to record it. I found this transcribed copy that I had saved in the computer and hope that you can get something out of it.

Warren: You know we were talking a little bit earlier about what’s natural and what is supernatural. You know, you have more of a natural tendency in what you believe and in the way your personality fits. You have a tendency to be more realistic and more natural. With me I’m more spiritual and more mystically inclined and there has to be a happy medium and I think when you were saying that the natural is the way to be….what were you saying about that?

Yvonne: Well, first of all, to clarify that, you know we hear all the time from preachers that we’re a new creature and the Bible tells us we’re a new creature. Well, being natural is like looking at a cat washing her face, licking her paw. We don’t look twice at that because that is natural for the cat to do that. That is what I mean when I speak of ”natural”. I don’t mean that natural is fleshly and worldly. I mean natural is our new state. We walk our daily life….

Warren: You say new state. You mean there is a new state of natural and an old state of natural?

Yvonne: Yes, I think so. I think when you are living for the world and your own pleasures, your “natural” inclination is to do whatever suits you, to do whatever feels good and whatever the world says and get involved in all the hype or whatever. Your natural state may be to go to bars if that is what you like. Your natural walking out your life will be setting your own goals and not caring about anything else.

Warren: In other words, it’s self-centered?

Yvonne: Yes, it can be. However, some people can spend their whole life giving to others in food programs and other beneficial endeavors.

Warren: Entrepreneurial.

Yvonne: Well, in any case, that is their natural state. They are either givers or takers, but it is not based on the new creation life.

Warren: It’s not Christ-centered.

Yvonne: Right. So once we become new creatures then our natural state has changed to where …..

Warren: We have a new nature.

Yvonne. Yes.

Warren: In other words, we act different, like the metamorphosis of a butterfly starting out as a caterpillar and acting like a worm and crawling around and eating leaves and then they get into the cocoon state and they change and come out as a butterfly which is their new nature.

Yvonne: Then, to see them groveling around on the ground would be un-natural. So their new natural state is to fly and you don’t become alarmed when you see a butterfly flying.

Warren: No, because that is their nature.

Yvonne: That’s what they do.

Warren: And you can hardly remember when you see a butterfly flying, that they used to be a crawling around worm. Like that old grub worm. Then when you see the worm crawling around, you don’t think of them as a butterfly.

Yvonne: or ask why aren’t they flying? So this is my basis, when I am talking about being natural, I am saying it should come so naturally to us that we don’t have to think twice. I started to tell you about being in a car with a preacher friend and he turned around and said something prophetic to me specifically and it struck me so impressively because we weren’t at the altar, we didn’t have special music going, worshipping, or talking specifically about the Lord. We may have been having a discussion. I don’t remember. It wasn’t anything we were doing when something came to him prophetically and I remarked to him “You didn’t have to get worked up into a spiritual “state” to give a prophecy. It came out of you naturally.”

Warren: In other words, it was just a natural tone, it wasn’t a “thus saith the Lord, thou art this or that....”.

Yvonne: Right.

Warren: And so, that would be natural.

Yvonne: to your new state. For instance, if you’re at work and you say something to somebody, you may really be helping the person. I think the most effective thing that ever happens is when you don’t know you have done any good for somebody. Because it is coming out of you very naturally, it is how you think and how you respond to the people around you.

Warren:Maybe it’s not necessarily what you speak but your actions as well. I mean your actions are probably more…

Yvonne: That’s true but I am thinking in the terms of prophetically, like he turned around and spoke to me. He didn’t say, let’s pray, let’s get into a worship mode because God wants to speak. No, he just spoke what came to him. That would be the same as doing a household task and a thought suddenly comes to “go to your neighbor with some food”. You do it. You don’t stop and think about it but just do it. It’s coming naturally and you are obeying easily.

Warren: You just have a natural desire to want to go do these things for your neighbor because you feel that inside, you’re not being forced by duty or obligation. It’s something that you really long and desire to do. It is something that comes out of you as natural.

Yvonne: That’s true, but in the case of the Lord speaking, it may be a one time happening. It’s not that you go around saying, oh who can I help today, I have such a desire to help somebody. No, I am talking about a specific action that you automatically do. Because it’s your nature, you just do it. You move into it and you don’t even stop and think, oooh the Lord told me to do that. You just do it because it is natural to follow that little inner voice that you are not even thinking about, it’s just happening. To me that is being natural. That’s being the new life in us at work. Because you don’t have to be at the altar, you don’t have to be on your knees to have these things happen. You don’t have to be “religious”. But because you have a relationship with the Lord, you have become more sensitive to his voice.

Warren: You can be in the most unpredictable situations. Like a lot of times God speaks to me in the shower, and I wonder why would he do that? Or when I am shaving something really neat comes to me. You wouldn’t think that God would speak to you when you are doing normal things. You would have to be in a holy state, in a holy atmosphere.

Yvonne: That is where I object to that because I think that’s where religion has affected a lot of people. God put in us a hunger for him and we mess it up by being “religious”. We go back to works then and feel that we have to do something to be spiritual. That’s my objection. We have our own language, Christianese like Rick Godwin says. We have our own gang. We have our own gang symbols and….

Warren: Bumper stickers….

Yvonne: and methods of operations.

To be continued….

Quotes for the Day

"Never try to compel others to change; leave them free to change naturally and orderly because they want to; and they will want to when they find that your change was worthwhile.

"To inspire in others a desire to change for the better is truly noble; but this you can do only by leaving them alone, and becoming more noble yourself."

Christian D. Larson (1874-1954)

* * *

"The greatest revolution in our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives." William James (1842-1910)

* * *

"Most of the limitations you think you have are the ones you have decided on. They are often entirely self-imposed. You might think, 'I can't do this, I can't do that, I would never do that, my parents could never do that, I never played baseball, I never climbed a mountain, I never, never, never'... It's the old broken record in your head. Throw out that negative thinking right now! Learn to play a positive message in your head because it's all about attitude."

David Patchell-Evans

Thoughts about Thoughts

An interesting comment was made in Sunday School yesterday about the woman (Mark 3) who reached out and touched Jesus' garment. She made the statement "If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole." (Mark 5:28). The comment was that she limited herself by thinking she needed to touch him. She could have said when he passes by or when I see him I shall be whole or just believed she would be healed because of Jesus. She thought she had to touch him. How do we limit ourselves? The things that we think and say may actually be limiting us. The pastor brought out the previous week in Sunday School that when a person gives their heart to the Lord, maybe they go to the altar or to some person, but the moment their thoughts gave over to it, that was when they were saved. The rest is formality, confirmation, etc.

Several years ago I was at a Bible Study in a home. As I sat on the piano bench I was in pain from a sciatic nerve problem. Over the years I had dealt with this occasionally and had come to find out that if I took Vitamin B Complex it would go away. At this particular time I was really in pain. We happened to be in prayer at that moment when this thought came to me (I believe the Lord spoke to me) and said "Why don't you ask for healing?" It surprised me. I hadn't asked for healing because I knew how to take care of it myself with Vitamin B Complex. However, at that moment I gave in, agreed, consented, or whatever would describe what I did. At the moment that I gave in and my thought was in agreement, I was healed. A warm feeling went from my hip down through my leg and there was no more pain. I got up and walked a little to make sure it was gone. I haven't had it since and that had to be 25-30 years ago. But the point I wanted to make is that I did not actually ask for healing. In my thoughts I gave over to it and was healed. My thoughts agreed to asking and it was granted immediately.

Of great interest to me in recent years is how our thoughts really do affect our lives. Too often our thoughts are just what I've heard referred to as default thinking. Thoughts that we have during the day with absolutely no awareness. They are free to come and go. They are always there. Thoughts of worry, fear, maybe resentment over something that has happened to us, sometimes rehearsing over and over an experience, a bad scenario (recent or from the past), what we will say next time, what we plan to do and the list goes on.

Having learned about the law of attraction, I realize now that those random, default thoughts can be attracting things into our lives that we don't want. We need to be aware of what we are thinking and stop all negative or self-defeating thoughts. We do have control over our thoughts. We can change our thoughts. It only takes being aware of them and the desire to attract good things into our lives. From my own experience I know we can do this.

THINK of what you are thinking. Don't just fall into old habit patterns of thought. Be aware and change your thoughts. If you have to start singing a song to stop the flow of thoughts or to change the direction, then do that. Once you become aware of your thoughts you will be amazed at how many follow old habit patterns, patterns we can break. Thoughts of gratitude for what we have will definitely get us off the typical negative track and we will attract more things for which to be grateful.

One more example from the Bible, Mark 5: 38-43....this twelve year old girl was dead. Jesus came and said she was only sleeping and they laughed him to scorn. So he put them all out leaving only the father, mother and those with him and went to the girl and she was healed. It stood out to me that Jesus put the doubters out. Those who were laughing (didn't believe) were made to wait outside. This emphasized the fact that we need to surround ourselves with people who are positive in their thoughts and words. With all the negative news, all the economic problems people have been experiencing, there are negative things bombarding us but when it is possible, keep the doubters at a distance. Dwelling on negative things bring us down to a hopeless feeling of dispair. Positive happy thoughts bring us up and give us hope.

"Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think."— Benjamin Disraeli: British statesman and author

"Your thoughts Are The Rudder That Guides Your Heart Through Life." Robb Thompson

Good Stuff for the New Year!

I have been very busy with business and Christmas and then also not too motivated so haven't written in a long time. However, as this new year begins, I must share a page from The Secret Daily Teachings which I ordered for daily inspiration. We have found this to be true and just want to share it. It can be life changing.

*****************

"Whatever feelings you have within you are attracting your tomorrow.

Worry attracts more worry. Anxiety attracts more anxiety. Unhappiness attracts more unhappiness. Dissatisfaction attracts more dissatisfaction.

AND......

Joy attracts more joy. Happiness attracts more happiness. Peace attracts more peace. Gratitude attracts more gratitude. Kindness attracts more kindness. Love attracts more love.

Your job is an inside one. To change your world, all you have to do is change the way you feel inside.

How easy is that?

The True Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

A guy named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night. His 4-year-old daughter, Barbara, sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer. Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dads eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?" Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob. Being small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember.

From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938. Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined a make one - a storybook!

Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling. Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose.

Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn't end there. The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book. In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter.

But the story doesn't end there either. Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore, it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas." The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing!

Have a wonderful Christmas.

Inner Peace

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

.....Then You Are Probably The Family Dog!

And you thought I was going to get all spiritual. :-) Have a Great Weekend!!

Eight Gifts that Don't Cost a Cent!

Since our minds are turned towards Christmas and our gift giving, this came to my attention and I'm passing it on to you.

This simple checklist can help measure how you are nurturing your relationships.

The Gift of Listening. But you must really listen. Don't interrupt, don't daydream, and don't plan your response. Just listen.

The Gift of AffectionBe generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

The Gift of LaughterClip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

The Gift of SolitudeThere are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone.Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

The Gift of a FavourEvery day, go out of your way to do something kind. Good deeds are cool.

The Gift of a Written NoteIt can be a simple "Thanks for your help" note, or a longer expression of your appreciation for that person being in your life. A brief handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime.

The Gift of a ComplimentA simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job," or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

The Gift of a Cheerful DispositionThe easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone.

These are eight important ways we can contribute toward whole and healthy relationships. They cost nothing, yet they may well be the most valuable gifts we can ever offer another person.

Phil Evans