Collection of
CHRISTIAN THOUGHTS - Part Four
               BEATITUDES FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE
BLESSED ARE YOU who take time to listen to difficult speech, for you help us to know that if we persevere we can be understood.

BLESSED ARE YOU who walk with us in public places, and ignore the stares of strangers, for in your friendship we feel good to be ourselves.

BLESSED ARE YOU who never bid us to "hurry up" and, more blessed, you who do not snatch our tasks from our hands to do them for us, for often we need time rather than help.

BLESSED ARE YOU who stand beside us as we enter new and untried ventures, for our unsureness will be outweighed by the times when we surprise ourselves and you.

BLESSED ARE YOU who ask for our help and realize our giftedness, for our greatest need is to be needed.

BLESSED ARE YOU who help us with the graciousness of Christ, for often we need the help we cannot ask for.

BLESSED ARE YOU when, by all things, you assure us that what makes us individuals is not our particular disability or difficulty but our beautiful God-given personhood which no handicapping condition can confine.

REJOICE AND BE EXCEEDINGLY GLAD for your understanding and love have opened doors for us to enjoy life to its full and you have helped us believe in ourselves as valued and gifted people.
This story is from "God's Little Devotional Bible for Women". It reads as follows:
                                             PRAYING FINGERS
Many children learn to count on their fingers, but a nurse once taught a child to pray "on his fingers." This was her method:

Your thumb is the digit nearest to your heart, so pray first for those who are closest to you. Your own needs, of course, should be included as well as those of your beloved family and friends.

The second finger is the one used for pointing. Pray for those who point you toward the truth, whether at church or school. Pray for your teachers, mentors, pastors, and those who inspire your faith.

The third finger is the tallest. Let it stand for the leaders in every sphere of life. Pray for those in authority -- both within the body of Christ and those who hold office in various areas of government.

The fourth finger is the weakest, as every pianist knows. Let it stand for those who are in trouble and pain -- the sick, injured, abused, wounded, or hurt.
The little finger is the smallest. Let it stand for those who often go unnoticed, including those who suffer abuse and deprivation. What a great tool to use in teaching children how to pray for themselves and others.

What a simple and wonderful reminder to use as we pray ourselves.
God Can
When you feel unlovable, unworthy and unclean, when you think that no one can heal you

Remember, Friend,
God Can.
When you think that you are unforgivable for your guilt and your shame

Remember, Friend,
God Can.
When you think that all is hidden and no one can see within

Remember, Friend,
God Can.
And when you have reached the bottom and you think that no one can hear

Remember my dear Friend,
God Can.
And when you think that no one can love the real person deep inside of you

Remember my dear Friend,
God Does.
                                              John 3:16
For God... (THE GREATEST LOVER)
So Loved... (THE GREATEST DEGREE)
The World... (THE GREATEST COMPANY)
That He Gave... (THE GREATEST ACT)
His Only Begotten Son... (THE GREATEST GIFT)
That Whosoever... (THE GREATEST INVITATION)
Believeth... (THE GREATEST SIMPLICITY)
In Him... (THE GREATEST ATTRACTION)
Should Not Perish... (THE GREATEST PROMISE)
But... (THE GREATEST DIFFERENCE)
Have... (THE GREATEST CERTAINTY)
Everlasting Life... (THE GREATEST POSSESSION)
                     When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I knew that little things are special things.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you pray, and I believed there is a God I could always talk to.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night, and I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give to someone needy and I learned the joy of giving.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you always did your best and it made me want to be all that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say "thank you" and I wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.
Givers can be divided into three types: the flint, the sponge and the honeycomb. Some givers are like a piece of flint - to get anything out of it you must hammer it, and even then you only get chips and sparks. Other are like a sponge - to get anything out of a sponge you must squeeze it and squeeze it hard, because the more you squeeze a sponge, the more you get. But others are like a honeycomb - which just overflows with its own sweetness. That is how God gives to us, and it is how we should give in turn.
There are only two ways you can study the Bible:
        1. Studying it with your mind made up.
        2. Studying it to let it make up your mind.
There is a story of a man who was walking down the street. He paused at a used book store, and in the window he saw a book with the title, How to Hug. He was taken by the title and, being somewhat of a romantic nature, went in to buy the book. To his chagrin, he discovered it was the seventh volume of an encyclopedia and covered the subjects "How" to "Hug".
        Everyone knows that the church is a place where love ought to be manifested, and many people have come to church hoping to find a demonstration of love - only to discover an encyclopedia on theology.
                             GOALS I'VE SET FOR MY CHILDREN
1. To have joyful confidence of a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. To please God before self or others.
3. To know God's word and trust it completely.
4. To please others before self.
5. To do the hard thing before the fun thing.
6. To have happy marriages, or to be happily unmarried.
7. To show compassion to people in need.
8. To be educated concerning your heritage and your present context.
9. To develop skills and competencies for your own delight and to pass on to others
10. To show good cheer.
11. To be satisfied with simple delights.
To manage money well - whether a little or a lot
Someone once asked Billy Graham, "If Christianity is valid, why is there so much evil in the world?" To this the famous preacher replied, "With so much soap, why are there so many dirty people in the world? Christianity, like soap, must be personally applied if it is to make a difference in our lives."
Our Thinking versus God's Promises
"It's impossible"
All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
"I'm too tired"
I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
"Nobody really loves me"
I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
"I can't go on"
My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
"I can't figure things out"
I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
"I can't do it"
You can do all things (Phillipians 4:13)
"I'm not able"
I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
"It's not worth it"
It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)
"I can't forgive myself"
I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
"I can't manage"
I will supply all your needs (Phillipians 4:19)
"I'm afraid"
I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
"I'm always worried and frustrated"
Cast all your cares on Me (I Peter 5:7)
"I don't have enough faith"
I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
"I'm not smart enough"
I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
"I feel all alone"
I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
Be Good To You
Be Yourself -- Truthfully
Accept Yourself -- Gracefully
Value Yourself -- Joyfully
Forgive Yourself -- Completely
Treat Yourself -- Generously
Balance Yourself -- Harmoniously
Bless Yourself -- Abundantly
Trust Yourself -- Confidently
Love Yourself -- Wholeheartedly
Empower Yourself -- Prayerfully
Give Yourself -- Enthusiastically
Express Yourself -- Radiantly
                                   HE IS THE REASON
His arrival was eagerly anticipated, but not just by children.
He came on Christmas Day, but not down the chimney.
He worked in a wood shop, but not making toys.
He had a beard, but it was not white.
He had some helpers, but they were not elves.
He did a miracle, but not on 34th Street.
He rode into town, but not in a sleigh.
He carried a lot of weight, but He was not heavy.
He hung on a tree, but not as an ornament.
He disappeared into the clouds, but not to the North Pole.
His return is eagerly anticipated, but not predictable.
He is Jesus.
So every year at Christmas time
let the traditions become a sign
to point us back so long ago
when God came to earth for the world to know.