September 30

"What ultimately matters most will not be what others say about your life but what God says." - Rick Warren

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." - Romans 12:2 (NLT)

A prime mark of the Christian mind is that it cultivates the eternal perspective. That is to say, it looks beyond this life to another one. It is supernaturally orientated, and brings to bear upon earthly considerations the fact of heaven and the fact of hell. - Harry Blamires

Our theological systems are not infallible, our God’s propositional revelation is. - Carl F. H. Henry

Communication. It's the first thing we really learn in life. Funny thing is, once we grow up, learn our words, and really start talking, the harder it becomes to know what to say. Or how to ask for what we really need. - Dr. Meredith Grey, ^Grey’s Anatomy^

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. - Seneca

More than 70 percent of people who were married since 1970 celebrated a 10th anniversary. - USA Today, Sept. 19, 2007

- A recent survey of church growth indicated that 70 to 80 percent of a church's growth is the result of friends witnessing to friends and relatives. While visitation evangelism and other methods of outreach help, the personal contact brings the harvest. - Warren Wiersbe


- The Great Commission is not an option to be considered but a command to be obeyed. - J. Hudson Taylor
- The last request made by our Lord was "Be My witnesses."

Golf - the four letter word explained... A "gimme" can best be defined as an agreement between two golfers...neither of whom can putt very well.

An interesting thing about golf is that no matter how badly you play; it is always possible to get worse.

We want what we want, immediately. I was amused some time ago when I heard a child pray that God send her friend back to see her "Right Now!" We don't want to wait. We demand quick satisfaction, regardless of cost.

SANCTIFIED EXHAUSTION
We cannot possibly flatter the Almighty by hurrying into his presence, flinging a song and prayer at him, and hurrying out of church back into our hassled lifestyles. God is never flattered by our sanctified exhaustion. -- Calvin Miller in "Into the Depths of God"

ARE YOU IN A FOG TIME RIGHT NOW?
We may experience times of unusual closeness, when every prayer is answered in an obvious way and God seems intimate and caring. And we may also experience "fog times," when God stays silent, when nothing works according to formula and all the Bible's promises seem glaringly false. Fidelity involves learning to trust that, out beyond the perimeter of fog, God still reigns and has not abandoned us, no matter how it appears. -- Philip Yancey

"One of the great dangers of having a lot of money is that you may be quite satisfied with the kinds of happiness money can give and so fail to realize your need for God. If everything seems to come simply by signing checks, you may forget that you are at every moment totally dependent on God." - C.S. Lewis

- Most people are bothered by those passages in Scripture which they cannot understand; but as for me, I always noticed that the passages in Scripture which trouble me most are those which I do understand. - Mark Twain

- Why is the Atheist's main target always Jesus of Nazareth, and never Buddha, Confucius, or Mohammed? Why is the aspiring athlete's target always the true champion and never the also-rans? - Anonymous

Try to imagine the population of North America – around 316 million people. Now try to imagine a population almost 3 times bigger. That is the number of people worldwide that do not get enough food – over 840 million people. We are told that about 1.1 billion people do not have clean drinking water. About 25,000 people die each day from hunger or causes related to hunger. Can you imagine every 4 days a small size town the size of 25,000 being wiped out?

Pity the man who has a favorite restaurant,
but not a favorite author.
He's picked out a favorite place to feed his body,
but he doesn't have a favorite place to feed his mind! Jim Rohn

You may have heard about a young woman about to get married who said to her mother, "I can't marry him, mother. He's an atheist and he doesn't believe there is a hell."
Her mother responded, "That's all right, dear, marry him and between the two of us I am sure we can convince him."

The following was overheard at a recent high society party...
"My ancestry goes all the way back to Alexander the Great," said one lady. She then turned to a second woman and asked, "How far does your family go back?"
"I don't know," was the reply. "All of our records were lost in the flood."

During a recent flood in the Idaho lowlands, the family decided to send little Johnny to stay with an uncle, in another part of the state. They included a letter explaining the reason for the nephew's sudden and unexpected visit.
Two days later the parents received a telegram: "Am returning boy. Send the flood."

"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons." --Popular Mechanics, 1949

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." --Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943

"You know you're old when they've discontinued your blood type.

A lady recently being baptized was asked by a coworker what it was like to be a Christian. She replied 'It's like being a Pumpkin'... God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off that you may have gotten from the other pumpkins. Then he cuts the top off and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.

"I never failed once. It just happened to be a 2000l-step process." -- Thomas A. Edison

"The Green Bay Packers never lost a football game. They just ran out of time." -- Vince Lombardi

How does McDonald's get low wage employees to work full time when there is a vast shortage of labor for low-wage jobs?
They invite people to join "The McDonald's Team."
Let's invite people to join "The Jesus Team."
If you're not a team player, you can't be a disciple of Jesus, the Christ.

You can’t control the length of your life, but you can control its width and depth. You can’t control the contour of your countenance, but you can control its expression. You can’t control the other person’s opportunities, but you can seize upon your own and make the best of them.

You can’t control the weather, but you can control the atmosphere which surrounds you. You can’t control the distance that your head will be above the ground, but you can control the level of the contents of that head.

You can’t control the other person’s annoying faults, but you can see to it that you yourself do not develop or harbor similar propensities.


Dear Dad,
$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can't think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.
Love,
Your $on.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Son,
I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.
Love,
Dad

What often goes missing in the bumper-sticker "The One Who Dies With the Most Toys Wins" philosophy of life are considerations of the cost of consumption. Not just the initial down-payment costs, but the subsequent emotional, family and psychological costs.
The greatest irony in the pursuit of the most toys is that it inevitably requires the most time to get them, leaving the least time to use them. Pollster Lou Harris has found that people have an average 32 percent less leisure time than they did a decade ago.
There being only so many hours in the day, something has to give. Consequently, the dream car has been parked so long it's used more air in the tires than gas in the tank. The country house for weekend getaways may as well be in another country. The two-week ski trip to Europe has been delayed for the third winter. And the treasured wooden skiff hasn't touched anything wet in eight months. Blessed are the toys for they shall inherit the...dust! (Robert Kriegel, If IT Ain't Broke...Break IT! [New York: Warner Books, 1992]

"America's wealth makes her poverty much worse than India's because it leads to spiritual death." -Mother Teresa,

Sept 23

I'm finally learning that His sovereign plan is the best plan. That whatever I entrust to Him, He can take care of better than I. That nothing under His control can ever be out of control. That everything I need, He knows about in every detail. That He is able to supply, to guide, to start, to stop, to sustain, to change, and to correct in His time and for His purposes. When I keep my hands out of things, His will is accomplished. --Charles Swindoll

I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well. --Diane Ackerman
By the time Ted arrived at the football game, the first quarter was almost over. "Why are you so late?" his friend asked.
"I had to toss a coin to decide between going to church and coming to the game."
"How long could that have taken you?"
"Well, I had to toss it 14 times."

"The biggest mistake we could ever make in our lives is to think we work for anybody but ourselves." – Brian Tracy

"You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down." -- Mary Pickford

"Every evening, write down the six most important things that you must do the next day. Then while you sleep your subconscious will work on the best ways for you to accomplish them. Your next day will go much more smoothly." -- Tom Hopkins

"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." -- Anais Nin

Olny srmat poelpe can raed tihs.
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rgh it pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Olny srmat poelpe can raed tihs.
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rgh it pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Sometimes the majority only means that all the fools are on the same side.

Frustrated at always being corrected by my hubby, I decided the next time it happened I would have a comeback. That moment finally arrived, and I was ready. "You know," I challenged, "even a broken clock is right once a day."
He looked at me and replied, "Twice."

If You're Going to Have a Wedding
I have read how, years ago, when Johnny Carson was the host of The Tonight Show, he interviewed an eight-year-old boy. The young man was asked to appear because he had rescued two friends in a coal mine outside his hometown in West Virginia. As Johnny questioned the boy, it became apparent to him and the audience that the young man was a Christian. So Johnny asked him if he attended Sunday school. When the boy said he did,
Johnny inquired, "What are you learning in Sunday school?"
"Last week," came his reply, "our lesson was about when Jesus went to a wedding and turned water into wine." The audience roared, but Johnny tried to keep a straight face. Then
he said, "And what did you learn from that story?"
The boy squirmed in his chair. It was apparent he hadn't thought about this. But then he lifted up his face and said, "If you're going to have a wedding, make sure you invite Jesus!"

From a church bulletin: A family-type film, suitable for both children and parents, will be shown at the Sunday evening service at 6:00 p.m. Free puppies will be given to all children not accompanied by a parent.

This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you wish. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind...let it be something good."

Thought for the week: "Everybody can be great .. because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." -

A grandfather was digging potatoes alongside his grandson. After several hours of hard work, the little fellow looked up into his grandfather's face and asked, "Why did you bury all these things in here?"

Americans Believe TV is Getting Worse, But Keep Watching
The majority of Americans (62%) believe that the quality of television programming is getting worse yet, the average TV viewer is spending more time than ever in front of the tube, according to a new poll by The Associated Press and AOL Television. "There's a divide between our opinions and our behavior here," said Robert Thompson, director of The Bleier Center for the Study of TV and Popular Culture at Syracuse University. "Americans check off all the boxes on a survey saying TV stinks with one hand, but they've got the other hand on that TV remote," Thompson said. "They're complaining, but they're still watching."
The study, which was based on interviews with 1,204 adults from Aug. 24-26, revealed that 13 percent of Americans watch more than 30 hours of television each week and 27 percent watch at least 21 hours. This shows an increase of five percent from a similar study taken in 2005. Interestingly, those who watch a lot of television and those who watch very little all agree that the quality of programming is declining.
When asked which new shows they were looking forward to watching, only seven percent of viewers could name one. The poll also found that 28 percent of Americans would like to see more news on television compared to 17 percent in 2005. The ABC show, "Desperate Housewives" was seen as "most offensive," getting more votes for unpopularity than even "Jerry Springer" and " South Park." When asked which show they would most like to see cancelled, nine percent chose CBS's "Survivor." The returning show that Americans are looking forward to the most is CBS's "CSI," being named by 47 percent of respondents.

Differing Viewpoint on Global Warming
Most evangelicals are skeptical about global warming and lack enthusiasm for investing in environmental policies, according to a nationwide poll by The Barna Group.
Only 33 percent of evangelicals see global warming as a "major problem," compared to 62 percent of other faiths. This ranks evangelicals as the "least concerned segment among more than 50 population groups studied."
Stuart Shepard, managing editor of CitizenLink and a meteorologist, says that the claims in the mainstream media are distorted and Christians are right to be skeptical. He says, "In recent months, it has become clearer than ever that many scientists believe the slight increase in the Earth's temperature over the past 30 years is due to natural causes. It's just what the planet does every millennium and a half or so."

Last Halloween one kid showed up at our door dressed as an IRS agent. It was very authentic. He took 40 percent of our candy.

Jason says that his friend, Benny, "is a walking economy."
Why?
Because, "His hair line is in recession, his stomach is a victim of inflation, and both of these together are putting him into a deep depression."

"I just recently had my Visa card stolen. Right now it's everywhere I want to be."

"Only in America do we shop at places with limited parking, overpriced items, long lines and call them "convenience stores." - Yakov Smirnoff

Change your thoughts and you change your world." - Norman Vincent Peale

The most wasted day of all is that on which we have not laughed." - Nicholas Chamfort

Two accountants are in a bank when armed robbers burst in. While several of the robbers take the money from the tellers, others line up the customers, including the accountants, and proceed to take their wallets, watches, etc.
While this is going on, the first accountant jams something into the second accountant’s hand. Without looking down, the second accountant whispers, “What is this?”
The first accountant replies, “It’s that $50 I owe you.”


A mathematician, an accountant and an economist apply for the same job.
The job interviewer calls in the mathematician and asks, “What does two plus two equal?”
The mathematician replies, “Four.”
The interviewer asks, “Four exactly?”
The mathematician looks at the interviewer incredulously and says, “Yes, four exactly.”
Then the interviewer calls in the accountant and asks the same question: “What does two plus two equal?” The accountant says, “On average, four — give or take 10 percent — but on average, four.”
Then the interviewer calls in the economist and poses the same question: “What does two plus two equal?”
The economist gets up, locks the door, closes the shade, sits down next to the interviewer, and says, “What do you want it to equal?”

A businessman tells his friend that his company is looking for a new accountant.
His friend asks, “Didn’t your company hire a new accountant a few weeks ago?”
The businessman replies, “That’s the accountant we’re looking for.”


Let us never forget that some of God's greatest mercies are His refusals. He says no in order that He may, in some way we cannot imagine, say yes. All His ways are merciful. His meaning is always love. --Elisabeth Elliot

In perplexities--when we cannot tell what to do, when we cannot understand what is going on around us--let us be calmed and steadied and made patient by the thought that what is hidden from us is not hidden from Him. --Frances Ridley Havergal

A billion dollars just doesn't go as far as it used to. For the first time, it takes more than $1 billion to earn a spot on Forbes magazine's list of the 400 richest Americans. The minimum net worth for inclusion in this year's rankings released Thursday was $1.3 billion, up $300 million from last year.
The new threshold meant 82 of America's billionaires didn't make the cut.
Collectively, the people who made the rankings released Thursday are worth $1.54 trillion, compared with $1.25 trillion last year.
The very top of the list was unchanged: Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates led the list for the 14th straight year, this time with a net worth estimated at $59 billion. He was followed by Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. in second place with an estimated $52 billion and casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, No. 3 with an estimated worth of $28 billion.

- If you ask enough people, you can usually find someone who will advise you to do what you were going to do anyway. - Weston Smith

A long time ago a preacher observed that the only way you can get 500 people to LIE at the same time is to get them to sing a hymn: "Take my silver and my gold, Not one mite would I withhold." Then pass the offering plate.

Sept 16

"A positive attitude is perhaps more important at home than anywhere else. As spouses and parents, one of our most vital roles is to help those we love feel good about themselves." Keith Harrell.

What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives!

"I hear people say, 'Why do you want to go to church? They are all just hypocrites.' I never understood why going to church made you a hypocrite because nobody goes to church because they're perfect. If you've got it all together, you don't need to go. You can go jogging with all the other perfect people on Sunday morning. Every time you go to church, you're confessing again to yourself, to your family, to the people you pass on the way there, to the people who will greet you there, that you don't have it all together, and that you need their support. You need their direction. You need some accountability, you need some help." - Rich Mullins, the "Awesome God" guy


The Power of Responsibility By Michael Josephson of Character Counts (501.5)
It's been said that the line between childhood and adulthood is crossed when we move from saying "It got lost" to "I lost it." Indeed, being accountable--and understanding and accepting the role our choices play in the things that happen--are crucial signs of emotional and moral maturity. That's why responsibility is one of the main pillars of good character.
Many people have been seduced by the Peter Pan philosophy of refusing to grow up and avoiding the burdens implied in being accountable. Yes, responsibility sometimes requires us to do things that are unpleasant or even frightening. It asks us to carry our own weight, prepare and set goals, and exercise the discipline to reach our aspirations.
But the benefits of accepting responsibility far outweigh the short-lived advantages of refusing to do so. No one makes his or her life better by avoiding responsibility. In fact, irresponsibility is a form of self-imposed servitude--to circumstances and to other people.
Responsibility is about our ability to respond to circumstances and to choose the attitudes, actions, and reactions that shape our lives. It is a concept of power that puts us in the driver's seat. The grand panorama of the potential of our lives can only be appreciated when we begin to be accountable and self-reliant.
Responsible people not only depend on themselves, but show others that they can be depended on. This breeds trust, and trust is a key that opens many doors.
If you want more control over your life and the pleasures, prerogatives, and power of freedom and independence, all you have to do is be responsible.

Generations have praised the wisdom of getting up early in the morning, but a Japanese study says early-risers are actually at a higher risk of developing heart problems. The study, conducted by researchers from several universities and hospitals in the western Japanese city of Kyoto, revealed a link between wake-up times and a person's cardiovascular condition. "Rising early to go to work or exercise might not be beneficial to health, but rather a risk for vascular diseases," said an abstract of the study. The study, covering 3,017 healthy adults aged between 23 through 90, found that early risers had a greater risk of heart conditions including hypertension and of having strokes. However, the study also noted that early risers were usually older. A separate study released in June by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that chronic sleep deprivation adds stress to the heart, putting a person at greater risk of cardiovascular disease and death.


Psalm 23
This an eye opener; probably we never thought nor looked at this Psalm this way, even though we say it over and over again.
The Lord is my Shepherd That's Relationship!
I shall not want That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul That' s Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness That's Guidance!
For His name sake That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death That's Testing!
I will fear no evil That' s Protection!
For Thou art with me That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies That's Hope!
Thou anointest m! y head with oil That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life That's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord That's Security!
Forever That's Eternity!
Face it, the Lord is crazy about you.

It is not until the flower has fallen off that the fruit begins to ripen. --J. C. Grey

Good "food for thought"! Chapman cited the 23rd Psalm in answer to the question, "Where's the comfort?" Amid the crisis.
In his comments about the psalm, Chapman included an observation about "one of
a sheep's greatest dangers" in his reflections on verse 3: "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
That danger, Chapman said, "is a condition called 'a cast sheep,'" one that can
only be remedied by a shepherd.
"The cast sheep is a sheep who has fallen on its back with its feet straight up
in the air and cannot get up on its own power," Chapman said. "A sheep is top- heavy. When it steps the wrong way in a small depression in the ground, its center of gravity shifts and the sheep falls over on its back. It is powerless to help itself out of this dilemma. If the shepherd fails to restore the sheep, the sheep is vulnerable to attack, loses circulation in its legs and air to its lungs. Without restoration by the shepherd, the sheep will suffocate and die. The shepherd not only restores the weakened sheep to an upright position by gently supporting it and by nursing its wounds, but the shepherd also places the sheep on the right path heading in the right direction.
"Across this country, our souls are downcast," Chapman continued. "This terrorist attack has turned our world upside down. The victims in the planes and buildings experienced the collapsing of their worlds and, yes, even their lives. Likewise, the rest of America has been knocked off her feet emotionally, financially, professionally and spiritually. We are struggling to get up.
"We need our shepherd to restore us and to place us on the right path, the path
leading back to wholeness and health," Chapman said. "While our government leaders decide [on how to respond to terrorism], we must be more focused on resolvedly sharing the gospel."

When my three-year-old son opened the birthday gift from his grandmother and found a water pistol. He squealed with delight and headed for the nearest sink. I was not so pleased. I turned to Mom and said, "I'm surprised at you. Don't you remember how we used to drive you crazy with water guns?"
Mom smiled and then replied, "I remember."


CHANGE/CHOICE
"The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude." -- William James

"Every life form seems to strive to its maximum except human beings. How tall will a tree grow? Answer...as tall as it possibly can. Human beings, on the other hand, have been given the dignity of choice. You can choose to be all or you can choose to be less. Why not stretch up to the full measure of the challenge and see what all you can do?" -- Jim Rohn

"For many people, change is more threatening than challenging. They see it as the destroyer of what is familiar and comfortable rather than the creator of what is new and exciting." -- Nido Qubein

"To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly." -- Henri Bergson

One song can spark a moment, One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship, One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea, One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation, One sunbeam lights a room,
One candle wipes out darkness, One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey, One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits, One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom, One heart can know what's true,
One life can make the difference, You see, it's up to YOU!

My goal in life is to be the sort of person my dog thinks I am.

They say not to put all of your eggs in one basket, but I'll be darned if I am going to roll twelve shopping carts out of the grocery store.

Sept 9

WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT CONTROL
We cannot choose how many years we will live but we can choose what those years will have. We cannot control the beauty of our face but we can control the expression on it.
We cannot control life's difficult moments but we can choose to make life less difficult. We cannot control the negative atmosphere of the world but we can control
the atmosphere of our minds. Too often we try to choose and control things we cannot. Too seldom we choose to control what we can ... our attitude.

FOCUS
"The ability to concentrate and to use time well is everything." -- Lee Iococca

It is better to say, "This one thing I do" than to say, "These forty things I dabble in." -- Washington Gladden

"What this power is I cannot say; all I know is that it exists and it becomes available only when a man is in that state of mind in which he know exactly what he wants and is fully determined not to quit until he finds it." -- Alexander Graham Bell

“Emphasize everything and you emphasize nothing." -- Herschell Gordon Lewis

On life's report card, attitude counts, enthusiasm counts, a commitment to lifelong learning counts, hard work counts, and helping others counts. If you go all-out, you will feel the difference in the quality of your life, and that is what success is all about. Steve Lodle

Andrew died on a cross
Bartholomew was flayed alive
James (son of Zebedee) was beheaded
Simon was crucified
James (son of Alphaeus) was beaten to death
Thomas was run through with a lance
Matthias was stoned and beheaded
Matthew was slain by the sword
Peter was crucified head downward
Thaddeus was shot to death with arrows
Philip was hanged
Jesus makes no bones about the cost of discipleship to him. He makes no false and easy promises.


A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing. Martin Luther

There are three conversions necessary: the conversion of the heart, the mind and the purse." Of these three, it may well be that we moderns find the conversion of the purse the most difficult. Martin Luther

"The danger is that our beliefs, doctrines, leaders, denominational affiliations, traditions, "rules" and legalism, freedom from legalism, good works, social events, missions and outreach programs, worship preferences, spiritual gifts, etc. threaten to become the basis for our spirituality, rather than Jesus Himself." - Tom Nimz

In the midst of great joy, do not promise anyone anything. In the midst of great anger, do not answer anyone's letter. -- Chinese Proverb

Never forget what a man says to you when he is angry. Henry Ward Beecher

YOU WON'T HEAR THIS ON TV . . . By Rudy Minger, Copyright 1999
"Since absolutely nothing interesting happened today, we're just going to give you the weather and call it a night."
"Now that I've had a few minutes to consider it, Mr. Springer, I think my wife has a valid point . . ."
"Due to the extremely graphic nature of this program, we've changed our minds and decided not to show it at all."
"I don't really care if our team wins this game. I'm so exhausted I just want to get it over with."
"Since our ministry has all the money it needs at present, we won't be asking for any funds for the next six months."
"We're going to be running at least eight commercials now, so this would be a good time for you to get a snack." --from Reader's Digest, March 1999


Someone has calculated how a typical life span of 70 years is spent. Listen to these surprising numbers:
Sleep.................23 years.........32.9%
Work.................16 years..........22.8%
TV.......................8 years..........11.4%
Eating.................6 years...........8.6%
Travel..................6 years...........8.6%
Leisure................4.5 years.........6.5%
Illness...................4 years...........5.7%
Dressing...............2 years...........2.8%
Religion...............0.5 years...........0.7%
Total....................70 years...........100%

THE REST OF THE COMMANDMENTS
11th. You shall not worry, for worry is the most unproductive of all human activities.
12th. You shall not be fearful, for most of the things we fear never come to pass.
13th. You shall not cross bridges before you come to them, for no one has yet succeeded in accomplishing this.
14th. You shall handle only one problem at a time, and leave the others to the Lord until their turn comes up.
15th. You shall not take troubles to bed with you, for they make very poor bedfellows.
16th. You shall not try to carry the problems of the world on your shoulders, for nobody (except for One) has a back that is broad enough.
17th. You shall be a good listener, for God often speaks to us through the mouths of others.
18th. You shall not try to relive yesterday; for good or ill, it is forever gone. Live in the now and rejoice in it.
19th. You shall firmly dismiss feelings of frustration, for 90% of it is rooted in self-pity and will interfere with positive action.
20th. You shall count thy blessings, never overlooking the smallest, for
our biggest blessings are composed of many small ones. -- Author Unknown

LIFE
The Road to Success is not straight. There is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called relationships, caution lights called friends & family, and you will have flats called jobs. But... if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith and a driver called God you will make it to a place called success! Bible Verse Psalm 48:14 God will be our guide forever.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for guiding my life. Help me to let you sit in the driver's seat. Amen.

U.S. educators are reeling from the low math and science test scores of American students. We bombed in history too. Over 90 percent of American students think BC means Before Cable." -Argus Hamilton

WHAT AN AMAZING VIEW!
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov We should all be familiar with the planet we live on. NASA has compiled all of the most amazing images of Earth from space and put them on this website. Explore your world from above!

If God had intended for man to use the metric system, Jesus would have only had ten disciples!


OBITUARY
Today we mourn the passing of an old friend, by the name of Common Sense. Common Sense lived a long life but died from heart failure early in the new millennium. No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories and
offices, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness.
For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, the early bird gets the worm, and life isn't always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and it's okay to come in second (or even last, as long as your best efforts were given).
A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including body piercing, whole language and "new math." But his health declined when he became infected with the "If-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it" virus. In recent decades his
waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing regulations. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers.
His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies, reports of six year old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student. It declined even further when schools had to get parental
consent to administer aspirin to a student but cannot inform the parent when the female student is pregnant or wants an abortion.
Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional sports. Finally, a woman who was stupid enough not to realize that coffee is hot, and was awarded a huge payout for her stupidity, caused Common Sense to finally throw in
the towel.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers: My Rights and Ima Whiner. Few attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. - Anonymous

Sept 2

"Although my memory is fading, I remember two things clearly. I am a great sinner ... and Christ is a great Savior." John Newton (from the movie about William Wilberforce

Lord keep Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth.......
A closed mouth gathers no feet

THE TIDES OF LIFE PSALM 57:10 Norman Vincent Peale used to tell the story of a struggling businessman who reached a turning point in life after seeing a picture of a boat stuck in the sand. The caption said, "The Tide Always Comes Back."
There are two mistakes we make in life. When things are good we tend to think they will always be good. When things are bad, we tend to think they will always be bad. Both ideas are wrong. Life, and all it consists of -- our marriage, our ministry, our relationships, our finances, our "approval rating", etc. -- tends to go up and down in cycles.
As the old hymn says, there is an ebb and flow to life. There is one constant in all of this: God's faithfulness to us. And our ability to thrive depends on our faithfulness to him.
Today, whether your tide is in or out, lean on the faithfulness of God. Be thankful for his goodness; be thankful for his mercy. For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. (Psalm 57:10)

There were three guys talking at break time. Two of them were talking about the amount of control they have over their wives, while the third remained quiet. After a while one of the first two turned to the third and says, "Well, what about you, what sort of control do you have over your wife?" The third fellow said, "I'll tell you. Just the other night my wife came to me on her hands and knees." The first two guys were amazed. "Wow! What happened then?" they asked. The third man took a healthy swallow of his cup of coffee, sighed and said, "She said, 'Get out from under the bed and fight like a man!'"

"It is surmounting difficulties that makes heroes." – Louis Pasteur

"God does not ask your ability or your inability. He asks only your availability." -- Mary Kay Ashe

"The human race is divided into two classes--those who go ahead and do something, and those who sit still and inquire, 'Why wasn't it done the other way?'" – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

"The place to improve the world is first in one's own heart and head and hands." -- Robert M. Pirsig

"To fly we have to have resistance." -- Maya Lin, architect

"The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself. It is not in your environment; it is not in luck or chance, or the help of others; it is in yourself alone." -- Orison Swett Marden

"Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success." -- Napoleon Hill

HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE By Michael Josephson of Character Counts (501.4)
In a Peanuts cartoon, Lucy asks Charlie Brown, "Why do you think we were put on earth?"
Charlie answers, "To make others happy."
Lucy replies, "I don't think I'm making anyone happy," and then adds, "but nobody's making me very happy either. Somebody's not doing his job!"
People like Lucy are so sure happiness is a matter of getting something that they ask(,) not what they can do for others but what others can and should do for them. They usually feel shortchanged or cheated. They become so preoccupied with what they don't have that
they can't enjoy what they do have.
What's more, they don't realize one of the best ways to be happy is to experience the joy and sense of self-worth of making others happy.
Dennis Prager, in his book, Happiness Is a Serious Problem, argues that it's human nature to want and feel we need more. The problem is, the quest for more is endless because we can always add more to whatever we have. As a result, the Lucys of the world often live in an "if only" world that keeps them one step away from happiness: "If only I could get this raise, make this sale, pay off my debts, or win this game, I'd be happy."
Abraham Lincoln understood that happiness is essentially a way of looking at one's life. "A person is generally about as happy as he's willing to be," he said. Thus, we're more likely to experience happiness if we realize it's not just getting what we want. It's learning to want what we get. This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.

"Perfection is devastated by failure, while excellence learns from failure." -- Denis Waitley


COMMUNICATION/PERSUASION
"Learn to express, not impress." -- Jim Rohn

"Accept complete responsibility both for understanding and for being understood." -- Brian Tracy

"Communication is really all anyone ever gets paid for ultimately...and if you cannot effectively communicate...you will PAY...not get paid..." -- Doug Firebaugh

CONCENTRATION/FOCUS
"When you work, work. When you play, play. Don't mix the two." -- Jim Rohn

"Single-minded concentration in the direction of your dreams intensifies your desires and increases your self-confidence." -- Brian Tracy

"When every physical and mental resource is focused, one's power to solve a problem multiplies tremendously." -- Norman Vincent Peale

CONTENTMENT
"I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all." -- Laura Ingalls Wilder

"Never argue with the inevitable." -- Patricia Fripp

"For peace of mind, we need to resign as general manager of the universe." -- Larry Eisenberg

"I am a big believer in the 'mirror test.' All that matters is if you can look in the mirror and honestly tell the person you see there, that you've done your best." --


Shopper's Prayer
Our Cash, Which art on plastic,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Gucci Watch,
Thy Prada Bag,
In Saks,
As it is in Neimans.
Give us each day our Platinum Visa.
And forgive us our Overdraft,
As we forgive those who cease our Mastercard.
Lead us not into Kmart.
And deliver us from Target.
For thine is Versace, the Akira & Armani,
For Chanel No. 5 and Eternity, Amex.

During their 50th anniversary wedding celebration at a banquet in their honor, my Dad was asked to give a brief account of the benefits achieved from being married for so long.
My father stood up, thought for a long moment, then said, "Well, I've learned that marriage is the best teacher of all. It teaches you loyalty, meekness, forbearance, self-restraint, forgiveness, and...." he paused.
"What?" someone cried out from the back of the room.
"...and a great many other qualities you wouldn't have needed if you'd stayed single!" my father exclaimed.
The room erupted.


FAST FOODAHOLIC For years I had been telling my friend, Pete, that he ate too much fast food but he always denied it. One day, however, he admitted I was right.
"What changed your mind?" I asked him.
"My grandson." he replied. "When my daughter told him I was coming to visit, he asked, 'Grandpa from Florida or Grandpa from Pizza Hut?' "

There are two kinds of fool. One says, "This is old, and therefore good." And one says, "This is new, and therefore better." -- John Brunner
My Dad and I were talking the other night about love and marriage. He told me that he knew as early as their wedding what marriage to my Mom would be like. It seems the minister asked my Mom, "Do you take this man to be your husband." And she said, "I do." Then the minister asked my Dad, "Do you take this woman to be your wife," and my Mom said, "He does."

We live as those who are on a journey home: a home we know will have the lights on and the door open and our Father waiting for us when we arrive. That means in all adversity our worship of God is joyful, our life is hopeful, our future is secure. There is nothing we can lose on earth that can rob us of the treasures God has given us and will give us. --John Oxenham

Mary was almost crazy with her three young kids. She complained to her best friend Judy: "They're driving me nuts! They give me no rest! I'm half way to the funny farm!"
"What you need," said Judy, "is a playpen.
So Mary bought a playpen. A few days later, Judy called to ask how things were going.
"Superb! I can't believe it," Mary said. "I get in that pen with a good book, a chocolate bar, and the kids don't bother me for hours!"

"The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve." Albert Schweitzer

Baseball By Religion
Calvinists believe the game is fixed.
Lutherans believe they can't win, but trust the Scorekeeper.
Quakers won't swing.
Unitarians can catch anything.
The Amish walk a lot.
Pagans sacrifice.
Jehovah's Witnesses are thrown out, at home, often.
Televangelists get caught stealing.
Episcopalians pass the plate.
Evangelicals make effective pitches.
Fundamentalists balk.
Adventists have a seventh-inning stretch.
Atheists refuse to have an Umpire.
Baptists want to play hardball.
Catholics claim the Pope has never committed an error.


Things Overheard on Noah's Ark
10. "Did anyone think about bringing a couple umbrellas?"
9. "Hey, there are more than two flies in here!"
8. "Wasn't someone supposed to put two shovels on board?"
7. "OK, who's the wise-guy who brought the mosquitoes on board?"
6. "Help! I need some Pepto for the elephants, QUICK!"
5. "Don't Make Me Pull This Ark Over And Come Back There!"
4. "No Ham, you cannot eat the Pig!"
3. "And whatever you do, DO NOT pull this plug out."
2. "Nice Doggie!"
AND THE NUMBER ONE THING OVERHEARD ON NOAH'S ARK
1. "Are We There Yet?"

We will have set a record for misery: 29 days of at least 110 degrees in a year. On Tuesday, we tied the record of 28 days. Related records: May 8, 1989 Earliest occurrence of 110 degrees in a year. Sept. 15, 2000 Latest occurrence of 110 degrees in a year.
Aug. 9 Average date of the latest occurrence of 110 degrees in a year.
10 Average number of days reaching 110 degrees in a year.
18 Greatest number of consecutive days reaching 110 degrees (1974).

"The church is not like a country club; it's more like a hospital." That's what Jesus was saying here when he gave us the direction, "... do not invite your friends ... or your rich neighbors ... invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind...." You and I are not in the church to impress one another or to win power struggles; we are here to minister to one another in our weaknesses. We are here to be hospitable.

Mother Teresa was once asked, "How do you measure the success of your work?" She thought about the question and gave her interviewer a puzzled look, and said, "I don't remember that the Lord ever spoke of success. He spoke only of faithfulness in love. This is the only success that really counts."