Sometimes we come to life's crossroads and
View what we think is the end,
But God has a much wider vision and
He knows it's only a bend --
The road will go on and get smoother, and
After we've stopped for a rest,
The path that lies hidden beyond us is
Often the part that is best.
So rest and relax and grow stronger
Let go and let God share your load,
And have faith in a brighter tomorrow
You've just come to a bend in the road.
Author Unknown
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don't you quit
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would ever have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love yous".. more "I'm sorrys"...but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it... live it...and never give it back.
By Erma Bombeck -- In memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer.
Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
Memorize your favorite poem.
Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
When you say, "I love you", mean it.
When you say, "I'm sorry", look the person in the eye.
Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
Believe in love at first sight.
Never laugh at anyone's dreams.
Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
Don't judge people by their relatives.
Talk slowly but think quickly.
When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
Call your mom.
Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate step to correct it.
Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
Spend some time alone.
Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Read more books and watch less TV.
Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.
Trust in God but lock your car.
A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home.
In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
Read between the lines.
Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
Be gentle with the earth.
Pray. There's immeasurable power in it.
Never interrupt when you are being flattered.
Mind your own business.
Don't trust a man/woman who doesn't close his/her eyes when you kiss.
Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
Learn the rules then break some.
Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
Remember that your character is your destiny.
Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
Psalm 71.6,9:
6Upon You have I leaned and relied from
birth; You are He Who took me from my mother's womb and
You have been my benefactor from that day. My praise is
continually of You. 9Cast me out off nor
send me away in the time of old age; forsake me not when
my strength is spent and my powers fail.
When we are young, we can't wait to grow up. When we are old, we look longingly to former years. How ironic! God wants us to accept joyfully each season of life. Whatever our age, He asks us to commit our way to Him and accept the struggle He allows along with the strength He provides.
A woman who was facing the trials of growing old asked missionary J. Robertson McQuilkin, "Why does God let us get old and weak?" McQuilkin thought a moment and then replied, "I think God has planned the strength and beauty of youth to be physical. But the strength and beauty of old age is spiritual. We gradually lose the strength and beauty that is temporary so we'll be sure to concentrate on the strength and beauty that is forever. And so we'll be eager to leave the temporary, deteriorating part of us and be truly homesick for our eternal home. If we stayed young and strong and beautiful, we might never want to leave."
Are you in life's springtime? Trust God's timing to fulfill your dreams. Are you in life's summer or autumn? Face your daily challenges head-on. And if you feel the chill of winter, strive to know God better. His presence can make every season of life one of strength and beauty.
Dear Heavenly Father, help us to face each and everyone of our challenges daily. Fill us with your strength and help us to Trust. AMEN
The desire
to be holy rather than happy.
“...I consider everything a
loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may
gain Christ.” (Philippians
4:8)
“We are hard pressed on
every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the
life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2
Corinthians. 4:8-10)
The desire
to carry our cross.
“However, I consider my
life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the
task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of
God's grace.” (Acts
20:24)
The desire
to see everything from God’s
point of view.
“We are asking God that you
may see things, as it were, from His point of view by being given spiritual
insight and understanding.” (Colossians
1:9 - Philips Translation)
The desire
to die right rather than to live wrong.
“Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend
ourselves before you in this matter. If
we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us
from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.
But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will
not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’" (Dan.3:16-18)
The desire
to see others advance at our expense.
The practice
of habitually making eternity-judgments instead of time-judgments.
“...We fix our eyes not on
what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what
is unseen is eternal.” (2
Corinthians 4:18)
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
Dwight Hill
*That
Incredible Life by
A. W. Tozer - Christian Publications Inc., (Scriptures added)
Visit “The Facts of the Matter” website at www.edcweb.org to receive weekly issues of FOTM (no charge) by email, send request to facts-of-the-matter-request@ps.com.sg with the message subscribe name@address on the first line of the email, OR by fax, send request to 259-7215.
At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge,
keeping track of the things I did wrong,
so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I
die.
He was out there sort of like a president.
I recognized His picture when I saw it,
but I really didn't know Him.
But later on, when I met Christ,
it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride,
but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ
was in the back helping me pedal.
I don't know just when it was
that He suggested we change places,
but life has not been the same since.
When I had control,
I knew the way,
It was rather boring,
but predictable ...
It was the shortest distance between two points.
But when He took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts,
up mountains,
and through rocky places
at breakneck speeds,
it was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, "Pedal!"
I worried and was anxious and asked,
"Where are you taking me?"
He laughed and didn't answer,
and I started to learn to trust.
I forgot my boring life
and entered into the adventure.
And when I'd say, "I'm scared,"
He'd lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed,
gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy.
They gave me gifts to take on my journey,
my Lord's and mine.
And we were off again.
He said, "Give the gifts away;
they're extra baggage, too much weight."
So I did, to the people we met,
and I found that in giving I received,
and still our burden was light.
I did not trust Him,
at first, in control of my life.
I thought He'd wreck it;
but He knows bike secrets,
knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.
And I am learning to shut up
and pedal in the strangest places,
and I'm beginning to enjoy the view
and the cool breeze on my face
with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.
And when I'm sure I just can't do any more,
He just smiles and says ... "Pedal ...."
Author Unknown
Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight;
Just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie
in.
Should you find yourself stuck in traffic;
Don't despair. There are people in this world for whom
driving is an unheard of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work;
Think of the man who has been out of work for the last
three months.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad;
Think of the person who has never known what it's like to
love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend;
Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours
a day, seven days a week, for $15.00 to feed her family.
Should your car break down, leaving you miles away
from assistance;
Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to
take that walk.
Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering; what is life all about, what is my purpose? Be thankful, there are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of other people's
bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities;
Remember, things could be worse. You could be them!!!
******Should you decide to send this to a friend;
You might brighten someone's day! ****
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