May 31
Charles Schultz, the artist who provides us with the Peanuts cartoons, is one of my favorite theologians. That ought to tell you something about the kind of seminary president I am. In one of his cartoon series, he has Snoopy, that hound of heaven, saying of Woodstock, that would-be bird of paradise; "Someday, Woodstock is going to be a great eagle." Then in the next frame he says, "He is going to soar thousands of feet above the ground." Woodstock takes off into the air and as Snoopy looks on he sees the bird upside down whirling around crazily. So he has second thoughts. In the third frame Snoopy says, "Well, maybe hundreds of feet above the ground " But hardly had the words gotten out of his mouth when Woodstock plummets to the ground and lies there, on his back looking dazed, and Snoopy has to conclude, "Maybe he will be one of those eagles who just walks around."
Isn't it amazing - how quickly we settle for less than is promised, and for far less than is possible? Charles Schultz,
The Fruit of the Spirit Do we have the fruit of the Spirit? Can someone coming into our door to visit for the first time recognize these traits in us?
Love: - Do we love each other, and do we love those who are different from us? Do we love and welcome visitors, no matter who they are? Do we try to make their acquaintance, so that we can love them? Do we put their comfort above our own?
Goodness: Peter tells us (2 Peter 1:5) to support our faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge. Our salvation is the result of God's goodness. Likewise, other persons should benefit as a result of our goodness. Our mission work should clearly show our faith in God's goodness.
Peace: Is there peace between us, and peace within us? Can someone tell by being with us, that we have a peaceful soul, based upon God as the source of all that we have?
Faithfulness: - Is our steadfastness to Christ's church based upon an enduring loyalty that is true to God, no matter how we feel about the pastor, the district, the conference, the women's group, the organist, or any other facet of our organization?
Gentleness: - Do we exhibit care and protection for all of God's creation? Are we gentle with the environment, with each other, and with ourselves?
Joy: Do we look joyous to the outsider? Do we feel joy inside? True joy in being a child of God should be able to override all unhappiness and bitterness we feel, and should be reflected in our total involvement in our worship.
Kindness: - This action word can be directed outwardly or inwardly. Do we show compassion and generosity to others and ourselves?
Patience: - How many of us are willing to let others (and ourselves) come along at each one's own pace? How many of us can forgive seven times seventy?
Self-Control: - This is one of the hardest, and may include all of the others. This requires an inner discipline only manageable with the grace of God's Spirit to sustain us in our trials. Do we constantly pray for help in this area, and constantly call on God to help us? If not, we should.
On a 95 degree day, the interior of a parked car can reach:
Dashboard 181 degrees (temperature to cook poultry)
Seats 159 degrees (temperature to cook ground beef)
Steering wheel 159 degrees (temperature to cook medium rare beef)
"Lots of people think they're charitable if they give away their old clothes and things they don't want. It isn't charity to give away things you want to get rid of and it isn't a sacrifice to do things you don't mind doing." -Myrtle Reed, author (1874-1911)
The Purpose of Coffee Hour Coffee was always served at our church after the sermon. One Sunday our minister asked one of the smaller members of the congregation if he knew why we had coffee hour. Without hesitating, the youngster replied, "To wake people up before they have to drive home."
“Cars the Disciples Would Drive”
1. Simon Peter ("Bubba, the Rock"): Chevy truck, most likely an S-10 Extended Cab, 4x4 with lots of extras.
2. Andrew: Dodge Grand Caravan
3. James, son of Zebedee: Porsche
4. John: 1965 Mustang
5. Philip: Ford Taurus
6. Bartholomew or Nathaniel: Toyota Camry
7. Thomas Didymus: VW Beetle
8. Matthew: Lexus
9. Simon the Zealot: pre-owned Jeep Wrangler
10. James, son of Alphaeus: used Chevy Impala, neutral colored.
11. Thaddaeus: Buick LeSabre or Honda Accord
12. Judas Iscariot: DeLorean
Each moment is a moment God has given us, and it is there, in that place, and no place else, that we will at that moment find him. --Ronald Wilson
As you know, the show Touched By An Angel always ended with a white dove and when I see that, it gives ME hope--hope completely divorced from what the program was just about. I see the dove and I am reminded of WHO lives in me! Why does this happen? I think it is part of the heritage of my faith, being brought up in church where a white dove was the symbol of the Holy Spirit--a visual link to an invisible God. I am convinced also that I probably am not alone in this kind of response. Even to the unchurched and non-believer, there is a gentleness in the white bird, and a strength when we see her soar on the winds. There is comfort in such a sight! In the words of Paul Hovey, “The word Comforter as applied to the Holy Spirit needs to be translated by some vigorous term. Literally, it means "with strength." Jesus promised his followers that "The Strengthener" would be with them. This promise is no lullaby for the fainthearted. It is a blood transfusion for courageous living.” No wonder the ancient church released hundreds of white doves [or pigeons] when they gathered to celebrate the Feast of the Pentecost every year.
I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.
Money talks.......but things have been reeeeeeal quiet around our house lately.
In my kid's American History class, they are studying the 50's. She's taking me for show and tell tomorrow.
A young father tried to hush an exuberant young daughter who stomped around a church sanctuary on a weekday afternoon. "Please be quiet. This is God's house." With that, the curious girl pushed open the sanctuary door, peered around, and then announced, "Don't worry. God's not home today."
Robert Schuller tells of a winter at home, when his dad needed firewood. He found a dead tree and sawed it down. In the spring, to his dismay, he found new shoots had sprouted from the trunk. He said to his son, "I thought sure it was dead; the leaves had dropped, the twigs snapped, it seemed as if there was no life there. But now I see there is still life at the taproot of the old tree." He looked at his boy and said, "Bob, don't forget this important lesson. Never cut down a tree in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in a low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst mood. Wait. Be patient. The spring will come." And so, the disciples waited 24 hours, then another day, then a week, and now it has been 10 days, but still they waited - waited and prayed!
Thought For The Day: ©¿©¬
"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare."
"Pile your troubles on God's shoulders – he'll carry your load and help you out." - Ps. 55:22 (MSG)
Those who love in the Lord never see each other for the last time. - German Proverb
Whoever enjoys his life is doing the Creator's will. -- Jewish Proverb
"Behind every sin is a lie of unbelieving. When you sin, at that moment, you think you're doing what is best for you. You think you're doing the right thing, but you've been deceived. When your kids do something dumb, at that moment, they think what they're doing is smart, but it's dumb. The Bible tells us that Satan deceives us."
Definition: Marriage is the process of finding out what kind of man your wife would have preferred.
Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right, and the other is a husband.
"We always have time for the things we put first." – Paul Johnson
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant." -- Robert Louis Stevenson
Of all the things that matter, that really and truly matter, working more efficiently and getting more done, is not one of them." -- Mike Dooley
"The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us." -- Unknown
Pun of the Day My rechargeable batteries are revolting.
"Your thinking is simply a reflection...of your heart." -- Doug Firebaugh
"When you give someone a book, you don't give him just paper, ink, and glue. You give him the possibility of a whole new life." -- Christopher Morley, 1890-1957, Novelist, Journalist and Poet
"A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." -- Unknown
"Out of clutter, find Simplicity. From discord, find Harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies Opportunity." -- Albert Einstein
It's one thing for Muhammad Ali to float like a butterfly in a boxing ring, but on airplanes, seat belts are required. Regarding one particular flight he took, Ali says in his book, "When the flight attendant asked me to put a seat belt on, I told her that Superman didn't need a seat belt. "She smiled at me and said, 'Superman don't need no plane, either.'"
Instead of seeing co-incidences, we need to see God-incidences in order to benefit from God's presence and help.
Pebble in the Water
Drop a pebble in the water, just a splash, and it is gone,
But there's half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on;
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing out into the sea,
But there isn't any way of telling where the end is going to be.
Drop a pebble in the water; in a minute you forget,
But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet,
And there's little ripples flowing, to a great big wave have grown.
And you've disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.
Drop an unkind word or gesture; in a minute it is gone,
But there's half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on;
They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,
And there isn't any way to stop them once you start them on to flow.
Drop an unkind word or gesture, in a minute you forget,
But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet,
And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you've stirred,
And disturbed a life that's happy when you dropped that unkind word.
Drop a word of cheer and kindness; just a flash and it is gone,
But there's half a hundred ripples, circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave,
'Til you wouldn't believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.
Drop a word of cheer and kindness; in a minute you forget,
But there's gladness still a-swelling and there's joy a-circling yet,
And you've rolled a wave of comfort, whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water, just by dropping a kind word.
-- Author Unknown.
"Your life is a reflection of your thoughts. If you change your thinking, you change your life." -- Brian Tracy
A Polish immigrant went to the DMV to apply for a driver's license. First, of course, he had to take an eyesight test. The optician showed him a card with the letters:
'C Z W I X N O S T A C Z.'
"Can you read this?" the optician asked. "Read it?" the Polish guy replied, "I know the guy."
The church is the place where people from all diverse tribes and nations are affirmed in their magnificent variety. The church is a community where people can be what they are, and do what they do best.
Nowadays people can be divided into three classes - the Haves, the Have-Nots, and the Have-Not-Paid-For-What-They Haves.
Isn't it amazing - how quickly we settle for less than is promised, and for far less than is possible? Charles Schultz,
The Fruit of the Spirit Do we have the fruit of the Spirit? Can someone coming into our door to visit for the first time recognize these traits in us?
Love: - Do we love each other, and do we love those who are different from us? Do we love and welcome visitors, no matter who they are? Do we try to make their acquaintance, so that we can love them? Do we put their comfort above our own?
Goodness: Peter tells us (2 Peter 1:5) to support our faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge. Our salvation is the result of God's goodness. Likewise, other persons should benefit as a result of our goodness. Our mission work should clearly show our faith in God's goodness.
Peace: Is there peace between us, and peace within us? Can someone tell by being with us, that we have a peaceful soul, based upon God as the source of all that we have?
Faithfulness: - Is our steadfastness to Christ's church based upon an enduring loyalty that is true to God, no matter how we feel about the pastor, the district, the conference, the women's group, the organist, or any other facet of our organization?
Gentleness: - Do we exhibit care and protection for all of God's creation? Are we gentle with the environment, with each other, and with ourselves?
Joy: Do we look joyous to the outsider? Do we feel joy inside? True joy in being a child of God should be able to override all unhappiness and bitterness we feel, and should be reflected in our total involvement in our worship.
Kindness: - This action word can be directed outwardly or inwardly. Do we show compassion and generosity to others and ourselves?
Patience: - How many of us are willing to let others (and ourselves) come along at each one's own pace? How many of us can forgive seven times seventy?
Self-Control: - This is one of the hardest, and may include all of the others. This requires an inner discipline only manageable with the grace of God's Spirit to sustain us in our trials. Do we constantly pray for help in this area, and constantly call on God to help us? If not, we should.
On a 95 degree day, the interior of a parked car can reach:
Dashboard 181 degrees (temperature to cook poultry)
Seats 159 degrees (temperature to cook ground beef)
Steering wheel 159 degrees (temperature to cook medium rare beef)
"Lots of people think they're charitable if they give away their old clothes and things they don't want. It isn't charity to give away things you want to get rid of and it isn't a sacrifice to do things you don't mind doing." -Myrtle Reed, author (1874-1911)
The Purpose of Coffee Hour Coffee was always served at our church after the sermon. One Sunday our minister asked one of the smaller members of the congregation if he knew why we had coffee hour. Without hesitating, the youngster replied, "To wake people up before they have to drive home."
“Cars the Disciples Would Drive”
1. Simon Peter ("Bubba, the Rock"): Chevy truck, most likely an S-10 Extended Cab, 4x4 with lots of extras.
2. Andrew: Dodge Grand Caravan
3. James, son of Zebedee: Porsche
4. John: 1965 Mustang
5. Philip: Ford Taurus
6. Bartholomew or Nathaniel: Toyota Camry
7. Thomas Didymus: VW Beetle
8. Matthew: Lexus
9. Simon the Zealot: pre-owned Jeep Wrangler
10. James, son of Alphaeus: used Chevy Impala, neutral colored.
11. Thaddaeus: Buick LeSabre or Honda Accord
12. Judas Iscariot: DeLorean
Each moment is a moment God has given us, and it is there, in that place, and no place else, that we will at that moment find him. --Ronald Wilson
As you know, the show Touched By An Angel always ended with a white dove and when I see that, it gives ME hope--hope completely divorced from what the program was just about. I see the dove and I am reminded of WHO lives in me! Why does this happen? I think it is part of the heritage of my faith, being brought up in church where a white dove was the symbol of the Holy Spirit--a visual link to an invisible God. I am convinced also that I probably am not alone in this kind of response. Even to the unchurched and non-believer, there is a gentleness in the white bird, and a strength when we see her soar on the winds. There is comfort in such a sight! In the words of Paul Hovey, “The word Comforter as applied to the Holy Spirit needs to be translated by some vigorous term. Literally, it means "with strength." Jesus promised his followers that "The Strengthener" would be with them. This promise is no lullaby for the fainthearted. It is a blood transfusion for courageous living.” No wonder the ancient church released hundreds of white doves [or pigeons] when they gathered to celebrate the Feast of the Pentecost every year.
I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.
Money talks.......but things have been reeeeeeal quiet around our house lately.
In my kid's American History class, they are studying the 50's. She's taking me for show and tell tomorrow.
A young father tried to hush an exuberant young daughter who stomped around a church sanctuary on a weekday afternoon. "Please be quiet. This is God's house." With that, the curious girl pushed open the sanctuary door, peered around, and then announced, "Don't worry. God's not home today."
Robert Schuller tells of a winter at home, when his dad needed firewood. He found a dead tree and sawed it down. In the spring, to his dismay, he found new shoots had sprouted from the trunk. He said to his son, "I thought sure it was dead; the leaves had dropped, the twigs snapped, it seemed as if there was no life there. But now I see there is still life at the taproot of the old tree." He looked at his boy and said, "Bob, don't forget this important lesson. Never cut down a tree in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in a low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst mood. Wait. Be patient. The spring will come." And so, the disciples waited 24 hours, then another day, then a week, and now it has been 10 days, but still they waited - waited and prayed!
Thought For The Day: ©¿©¬
"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare."
"Pile your troubles on God's shoulders – he'll carry your load and help you out." - Ps. 55:22 (MSG)
Those who love in the Lord never see each other for the last time. - German Proverb
Whoever enjoys his life is doing the Creator's will. -- Jewish Proverb
"Behind every sin is a lie of unbelieving. When you sin, at that moment, you think you're doing what is best for you. You think you're doing the right thing, but you've been deceived. When your kids do something dumb, at that moment, they think what they're doing is smart, but it's dumb. The Bible tells us that Satan deceives us."
Definition: Marriage is the process of finding out what kind of man your wife would have preferred.
Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right, and the other is a husband.
"We always have time for the things we put first." – Paul Johnson
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant." -- Robert Louis Stevenson
Of all the things that matter, that really and truly matter, working more efficiently and getting more done, is not one of them." -- Mike Dooley
"The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us." -- Unknown
Pun of the Day My rechargeable batteries are revolting.
"Your thinking is simply a reflection...of your heart." -- Doug Firebaugh
"When you give someone a book, you don't give him just paper, ink, and glue. You give him the possibility of a whole new life." -- Christopher Morley, 1890-1957, Novelist, Journalist and Poet
"A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." -- Unknown
"Out of clutter, find Simplicity. From discord, find Harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies Opportunity." -- Albert Einstein
It's one thing for Muhammad Ali to float like a butterfly in a boxing ring, but on airplanes, seat belts are required. Regarding one particular flight he took, Ali says in his book, "When the flight attendant asked me to put a seat belt on, I told her that Superman didn't need a seat belt. "She smiled at me and said, 'Superman don't need no plane, either.'"
Instead of seeing co-incidences, we need to see God-incidences in order to benefit from God's presence and help.
Pebble in the Water
Drop a pebble in the water, just a splash, and it is gone,
But there's half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on;
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing out into the sea,
But there isn't any way of telling where the end is going to be.
Drop a pebble in the water; in a minute you forget,
But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet,
And there's little ripples flowing, to a great big wave have grown.
And you've disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.
Drop an unkind word or gesture; in a minute it is gone,
But there's half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on;
They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,
And there isn't any way to stop them once you start them on to flow.
Drop an unkind word or gesture, in a minute you forget,
But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet,
And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you've stirred,
And disturbed a life that's happy when you dropped that unkind word.
Drop a word of cheer and kindness; just a flash and it is gone,
But there's half a hundred ripples, circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave,
'Til you wouldn't believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.
Drop a word of cheer and kindness; in a minute you forget,
But there's gladness still a-swelling and there's joy a-circling yet,
And you've rolled a wave of comfort, whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water, just by dropping a kind word.
-- Author Unknown.
"Your life is a reflection of your thoughts. If you change your thinking, you change your life." -- Brian Tracy
A Polish immigrant went to the DMV to apply for a driver's license. First, of course, he had to take an eyesight test. The optician showed him a card with the letters:
'C Z W I X N O S T A C Z.'
"Can you read this?" the optician asked. "Read it?" the Polish guy replied, "I know the guy."
The church is the place where people from all diverse tribes and nations are affirmed in their magnificent variety. The church is a community where people can be what they are, and do what they do best.
Nowadays people can be divided into three classes - the Haves, the Have-Nots, and the Have-Not-Paid-For-What-They Haves.
posted by joypastordon at 8:11 PM
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