Just me....well us!

Oh boy it has been too long!!

Posted by MisCatt

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8:03 PM - 4/8/2011 - comments {0} - post comment

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Oh Shelby...... Shelby is in love with BB. I cant wait to go to his wedding and see him forever happy and blissfull. I love them both and wish them all the best. But I think they will be the last roomates I ever have. It sounds stupid and pathetic but im a fucking solo artist. I think it would be better for all involved if i left and never came back into their lives. Its between Seattle, Denver, or out of the country. Im not not real sure yet. Im going to pray about it and let God lead me in the right direction. I have been going to prestonwood baptist church with my friend mark from work and his son michael. I really enjoy it and the sermons are very inspiring! Sometimes I feel like I cant wait for sunday to come so I can go to church! I would go on my own but its out in plano and the bus dont run out that far. I wish there was a church closer to me. But I like going with mark and mike! I get htis great sense of peace and calm when I go. I never thought i would really enjoy church! but God works in many different wonderful ways!

Yeah wouldnt that be nice! I hate my gay woman hating boss, and my family is the perfect wasp picture!

I think Im defective. Everywhere I turn people are happy and having babies and are SOOOOOO in love with life!!! Im always gagging!! I think Im empty inside. I actually had a complete emotional breakdown the other night over nothing! I scared the shit out of my roommate shelby. Poor thing didnt know what to do! I'll be back.

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7:55 PM - 10/6/2008 - comments {0} - post comment

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Posted by Paul Harper

My husband and I had been happily
married (most of the time)
for five years
but hadn't been blessed with a baby.

I decided to do some serious
praying and promised God
that if he would give us a child,
I would be a perfect mother,
love it with all my heart
and raise it with His word
as my guide.

God answered my prayers
and blessed us with a son.

The next year God blessed us
with another son.

The following year,
He blessed us with
yet another son.

The year after that we
were blessed with a daughter.

My husband thought we'd
been blessed right into poverty.
We now had four children,
and the oldest was only
four years old.

I learned never to ask God
for anything unless I meant it.
As a minister once told me,
"If you pray for rain,
make sure you carry an umbrella."

I began reading a few verses
of the Bible to the children
each day as they lay in their cribs.

I was off to a good start.
God had entrusted me
with four children and
I didn't want to disappoint Him.

I tried to be patient the day
the children smashed
two dozen eggs on
the kitchen floor searching
for baby chicks.

I tried to be understanding...

when they started a hotel for
homeless frogs in the spare bedroom, although it took me nearly two hours
to catch all twenty-three frogs.

When my daughter poured
ketchup all over herself and
rolled up in a blanket to see
how it felt to be a hot dog,
I tried to see the humor
rather than the mess.

In spite of changing over
twenty-five thousand diapers,
never eating a hot meal
and never sleeping for more
than thirty minutes at a time,
I still thank God daily for my children.

While I couldn't keep my promise
to be a perfect mother -
I didn't even come close...
I did keep my promise
to raise them in the Word of God.

I knew I was missing the mark
just a little when I told
my daughter we were going
to church to worship God,
and she wanted to bring
a bar of soap along to
"wash up" Jesus, too.

Something was lost
in the translation when
I explained that
God gave us everlasting life,
and my son thought it was
generous of God to give
us his "last wife."

My proudest moment came
during the children's
Christmas pageant.

My daughter was playing Mary,
two of my sons were shepherds
and my youngest son was a wise man.
This was their moment to shine.

My five-year-old shepherd
had practiced his line,
"We found the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes."

But he was nervous and said,
"The baby was wrapped
in wrinkled clothes."

My four-year-old "Mary" said,
"That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly.

Posted by Paul Harper

Since the Pledge of Allegiance
and
The Lord's Prayer
are not allowed in most
public schools anymore
Because the word "God" is mentioned....
A kid in Arizona wrote the attached

NEW School prayer :
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen

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5:02 PM - Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - comments {1} - post comment

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Trouble Tree...

Posted by Paul Harper

Hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job:

a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck refused to start.

While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.

On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family.

As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree,

touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation..

His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me.

I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children... So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again."

"Funny thing is," he smiled," when I come out in the morning to pick'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

Let us Journey On...

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10:21 PM - Monday, November 19, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

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We Can Be Forever Young...

Posted by Paul Harper

Youth is not a time of life - it is a state of mind, it is a temper
of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions, a
predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for
adventure over love of ease.

Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years; people
grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years wrinkle the skin, but
to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, doubt, self-distrust,
fear and despair - these are the long, long years that bow
the head and turn the growing spirit back to dust.

Whether seventy or sixteen, there is in every being's heart the
love of wonder, the sweet amazement at the stars and starlike
things and thoughts, the undaunted challenge of events, the
unfailing childlike appetite for what next, and the joy and the
game of life.

You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young
as your self-confidence, as old as your fear, as young as your hope,
as old as your despair.

So long as your heart receives messages of beauty, cheer,
courage, grandeur and power from the earth, from man and from
the Infinite, so long you are young.

When the wires are all down and all the innermost core of your
heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of
cynicism, then you are grown old indeed and may God have mercy
on your soul.

Author Unknown... but greatly appreciated...

Let us Journey On...

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10:37 PM - Monday, November 5, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

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The Legend of the Sand Dollar...

Posted by Paul Harper

Upon this odd-shaped sea shell,
a legend grand is told
About the life of Jesus, the most
wondrous tale of old.

Its center markings plainly show
the storied Guiding Star
Which led to tiny Bethlehem,
three wise men from afar.

Five wounds suffered by our Lord
from nails and Roman spear
When he died upon the Cross
are wounds shown plainly here.

Within the shell, when opened
five Doves of Peace are found
They celebrate this legend, so may
Peace and Love abound.

Author Unknown... but greatly appreciated...

Let us Journey On...

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10:34 PM - Monday, November 5, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

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Is anybody happier because you passed his way?...

Posted by Paul Harper

Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?

The day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?

Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that's slipping fast,
That you helped a single brother of the many that passed?

Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;
Does the man whose hopes were fading, now with courage look ahead?

Did you waste the day, or lose it? Was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness, or a scar of discontent?

As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that God will say,
"You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today".

Anonymous (but greatly appreciated)...

Let us Journey On...

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10:24 PM - Monday, November 5, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

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Touch of The Master's Hand...

Posted by Paul Harper

Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the old violin, but held it up with a smile;

"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried, "Who'll start the bidding for me?"

"A dollar, a dollar"; then two!" "Only two? Two dollars, and who'll make it three? Three dollars, once; three dollars twice; going for three.."

But no, from the room, far back, a gray-haired man came forward and picked up the bow;

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin, and tightening the loose strings, he played a melody pure and sweet as a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer, with a voice that was quiet and low,
said; "What am I bid for the old violin?"

And he held it up with the bow. A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?

Two thousand! And who'll make it three? Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice, and going and gone," said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We do not quite understand what changed its worth."

Swift came the reply: "The touch of a master's hand."

And many a man with life out of tune, and battered and scarred with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin,

A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine; a game - and he travels on. "He is
going" once, and "going twice, He's going and almost gone."

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd never can quite understand the worth of a soul and the change that's wrought by the touch of the Master's hand.

Author: Myra 'Brooks' Welch

Let us Journey On...

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10:12 PM - Monday, November 5, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

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The Son...

Posted by Paul Harper

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.'

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son.. Who will bid for this picture?'

There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings.. Skip this one.'

But the auctioneer persisted 'Will somebody bid for this painting. Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?'

Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!'

But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting.' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

'We have $10, who will bid $20?'

'Give it to him for $10 Let's see the masters.'

'$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?'

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.

They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'

A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!'

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'

'What about the paintings?'

'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.

The man who took the son gets everything!'

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: 'The son, the son, who'll take the son?'

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE

Let us Journey On...

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5:03 PM - Monday, November 5, 2007 - comments {1} - post comment

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No Weapon...

Posted by Paul Harper

"No weapon formed against me shall prosper, no it won't work."

My name is Tammy. This is my life. I will get saved when "I've Got Time". I was born Jan. 1, 1964. As I grew up, the LORD kept his hands on me.

He healed my polio. Now I walk like you. "Thank you Jesus." He showed me right from wrong. I think I'll get saved when I turn 30. "I've Got Time!'

I got on drugs, He brought me through. Thank you, Jesus!

I got pregnant, and cried to the Lord. He gave me a husband. I said to myself, "When I turn 30, I'll get saved, I've Got Time!

" I've been shot in the back. The doctor said I would not walk again. I cried again to Jesus for two years. Now I run and jump. I should Get saved now! No, I'll wait until I'm 30. "I've Got Time."

I have no food in my house. My children are h ungry. I asked the Lord to make a way. Right then my doorbell rings. The UPS man is Ringing my bell. He has a letter for me. I sing as I return in my house. I open the letter. It is a check
for $50. "Thank you Jesus."Again I promise, "When I turn 30, I'll get saved, "I've Got Time."

"I read my Bible. I know of the Lord. He and I go a long way back. "I've Got Time." "It's Saturday, night. I am going out. I am going to have myself some fun. I put the kids to bed. When I step out, I see my sister running towards
me. She told me one of my children was playing with matches, and was burnt. Again, I Cried to the Lord. "LORD, LORD, Hear my prayer. Help me LORD." And, he did. He did not take my child. I did not lose my children to the state.

I'm really going to get saved when I turn 30. My cancer went into remission. My body is healed. Praise the LORD! "I've Got Time." I'm 30 now.

Tonight is my last night to live my unsaved life. Guess Wha t ? My birthday falls on Saturday. Therefore, Sunday, I will be at church praising the Lord. However, for now it's still Saturday..I am having so much fun at my party in my back yard. They threw me in the pool. I felt a timer in my head.

SOMETHING IS HAPPENING TO ME. WHAT'S WRONG! I DON'T KNOW. I SEE LIGHT. THERE ARE PEOPLE ALL AROUND ME, BUT I CANNOT TALK. I CRY TO THE LORD. I SAID, LORD WHAT TIME IS IT? IT'S 11:55 "BUT I DON'T KNOW YOUR VOICE. WHO ARE YOU? MY NAME IS LUCIFER. "I DON'T LOVE, I DON'T LIKE," I JUST WANT YOUR SOUL. EVERY TIME I CAME FOR YOU THE LORD SAID NO. SOMEONE WAS PRAYING FOR YOU SO I PLANTED A SEED TO MAKE YOU THINK YOU HAD TIME. YOU SEE, I'M SMART, I'M D I RT Y, AND I'M THE BEST LIAR.

Tammy died December 31, 1993. Five minutes before she turned 30 years old.

Now tell me, DO YOU HAVE TIME?

THE WILL OF GOD
The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you.
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

Author Unknown... but greatly appreciated

Let us journey on...

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3:07 PM - Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

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Quote for the day...

Posted by Paul Harper

Many of us spend our whole lives running from feeling with the mistaken belief that you cannot bear the pain. But you have already borne the pain. What you have not done is feel all you are beyond the pain.: Bartholomew

Let us journey on... feeling as we go forward...

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6:17 AM - Saturday, October 27, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

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The Hot Water Bottle...

Posted by Paul Harper

THE HOT WATER BOTTLE - A True Story By Helen Roseveare, Missionary to Africa

One night, in Central Africa, I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all that we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying, two-year-old daughter.

We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive. We had no incubator. We had no electricity to run an incubator, and no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts.

A student-midwife went for the box we had for such babies and for the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly, in distress, to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in tropical climates. "...and it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk; so, in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over a burst water bottle. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways. All right," I said, "Put the baby as near the fire as you safely can; sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with many of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle. The baby could so easily die if it got chilled. I also told them about the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died. During the prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt consciousness of our African children. "Please, God," she prayed, "send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, the baby'll be dead; so, please send it this afternoon." While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of corollary, " ...And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?" As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Amen?" I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything: The Bible says so, but there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time that I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was a large twenty-two pound parcel! I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone; so, I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then, there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children began to look a little bored. Next, came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - - that would make a nice batch of buns for the weekend. As I put my hand in again, I felt the...could it really be? I grasped it, and pulled it out. Yes, "A brand-new rubber, hot water bottle!" I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!" Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone: She had never doubted! Looking up at me, she asked, "Can I go over with you, Mummy, and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?"

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday School class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. One of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child -- five months earlier in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "That afternoon!" "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24

Helen Roseveare a doctor missionary from England to Zaire, Africa, told this as it had happened to her in Africa. She shared it in her testimony on a Wednesday night at Thomas Road Baptist Church.

This story originates from Helen Roseveare, a missionary from Northern Ireland. TruthOrFiction.com tracked her down and she told us this story is true and that she included it in her book "Living Faith." She has written about the revival that took place in the 1950's in what was then the Belgian Congo. She has been associated with WEC (World Evangelization for Christ at http://www.wec-int.org/index.html).

Some of her writings can be ordered from (http://www.wec-int.org/ministries.htm#books)

Let us journey on...

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1:12 PM - Friday, October 26, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

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Grow Old - Or Grow Up?

Posted by Paul Harper

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and
challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know.

I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. !

I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me
with a smile that lit up her entire being. She said, "Hi handsome. My

name is Rose. I'm 87 yrs. old. Can I give you a hug?"

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and
she gave me a giant squeeze.

"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked.

She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married,
and have a couple of kids..."

"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to
be taking on this challenge at her age.

"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting
one!" she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a
chocolate milk shake.

We became instant friends. Every day for the next 3 months we would
leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening
to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily
made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in
the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living
it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football
banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced
and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared
speech, she dropped her 3 x 5 cards on the floor. Frustrated and a
little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said,

"I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is
killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell
you what I know."

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, "We do not stop
playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.
There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and
achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day.You've
got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.

We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even

know it!

There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.

If you are 19 yrs. old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do
one productive thing, you will turn 20 yrs. old. If I am 87 yrs. old and
stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn 88.

Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The
idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no
regrets.

The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for
things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with
regrets."

She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose."

She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our
daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree
she had begun all those years ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep .

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to
the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be
all you can possibly be.

When you finish reading this, please send this peaceful word of advice
to your friends and family, they'll really enjoy it! These words have been

passed along in loving memory of ROSE.

Author Unkown but greatly appreciated...

REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS

OPTIONAL. We make a Living by what we get, We make a Life by what we give.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Pass this message on, you will receive a miracle tomorrow (if you don't think so...look out your window when you wake in the morning and think about it)

"Good friends are like stars.........You don't always see them, but you
know they are always there."

Let us journey on...

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1:04 PM - Friday, October 26, 2007 - comments {2} - post comment

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Posted by Paul Harper

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1:27 PM - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

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The Returning...

Posted by Paul Harper

Posted by Paul Harper

Three Old Men....

A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards
sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I
don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have
something to eat."

"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.

"No", she replied. "He's out." "Then we cannot come in", they replied.

In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had
happened.

"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!"

The woman went out and invited the men in"

"We do not go into a House together," they replied.

"Why is that?" she asked.

One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to
one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success,
and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband
which one of us you want in your home."

The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was
overjoyed.

"How nice!!", he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth.
Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"
His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?"

Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house.

She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to
invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"

"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his
wife.

"Go out and invite Love to be our guest."

The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love?
Please come in and be our guest."

Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got
up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I
only invited Love, Why are you coming in?"

The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also

Wealth and Success!!!!!!"

Let us journey on...

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9:19 AM - Saturday, October 14, 2006 - comments {3} - post comment

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Psalm 23...

Posted by Paul Harper

Psalm 23

This is an eye opener... Some probably never thought nor looked at this

Psalm in this way... even though they 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 my enemies.

That's Hope!

Thou anointest my 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!

Let us journey on...

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6:28 AM - Friday, October 13, 2006 - comments {1} - post comment

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The Nature of Degeneration...by Oswald Chambers...

Posted by Paul Harper

Just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned . . . "”Romans 5:12

The Bible does not say that God punished the human race for one man’s sin, but that the nature of sin, namely, my claim to my right to myself, entered into the human race through one man. But it also says that another Man took upon Himself the sin of the human race and put it away"” an infinitely more profound revelation (see Hebrews 9:26 ). The nature of sin is not immorality and wrongdoing, but the nature of self-realization which leads us to say, "I am my own god." This nature may exhibit itself in proper morality or in improper immorality, but it always has a common basis"” my claim to my right to myself. When our Lord faced either people with all the forces of evil in them, or people who were clean-living, moral, and upright, He paid no attention to the moral degradation of one, nor any attention to the moral attainment of the other. He looked at something we do not see, namely, the nature of man (see John 2:25 ).

Sin is something I am born with and cannot touch"” only God touches sin through redemption. It is through the Cross of Christ that God redeemed the entire human race from the possibility of damnation through the heredity of sin. God nowhere holds a person responsible for having the heredity of sin, and does not condemn anyone because of it. Condemnation comes when I realize that Jesus Christ came to deliver me from this heredity of sin, and yet I refuse to let Him do so. From that moment I begin to get the seal of damnation. "This is the condemnation [and the critical moment], that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light . . . " ( John 3:19 ).

Let us journey on...

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6:56 AM - Thursday, October 5, 2006 - comments {1} - post comment

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Traveling Light by Max Lucado...

Posted by Paul Harper

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."
(Matt. 11:28 NLT).

Rest from the burden of a small god. Why? Because I have found the Lord.

Rest from doing things my way. Why? Because the Lord is my Shepherd.

Rest from endless wants. Why? Because I shall not want.

Rest from weariness. Why? Because he makes me to lie down.

Rest from worry. Why? Because he leads me.

Rest from hopelessness. Why? Because he restores my soul.

Rest from guilt. Why? Because he leads me in the paths of righteousness.

Rest from arrogance. Why? Because of his name’s sake.

Rest from the valley of death. Why? Because he walks me through it.

Rest from the shadow of grief. Why? Because he guides me.

Rest from fear. Why? Because his presence comforts me.

Rest from loneliness. Why? Because he is with me.

Rest from shame. Why? Because he has prepared a place for me in the presence of my enemies.

Rest from my disappointments. Why? Because he anoints me.

Rest from envy. Why? Because my cup overflows.

Rest from doubt. Why? Because he follows me.

Rest from homesickness. Why? Because I will dwell in the house of my Lord forever.

Let us journey on...

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6:50 AM - Thursday, October 5, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

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Focus...

Posted by Paul Harper

Posted by MisCatt

I get a kick out of this!

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1:53 PM - 7/22/2006 - comments {2} - post comment

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This is cool. And it beats talking to your Mother

Posted by MisCatt

My Redneck sent this to me a couple of months back. And I thout it was interesting.

What if?... Everybody wonders "What if" once in a while. Dont forget to be honest! Just do it its fun and it answers some questions if your truly honest!!

::WHAT IF::

1. I died:

2. I kissed you:

3. I lived next door to you:

4. You found out I was married:

5. I stole something:

6. I was hospitalized:

7. I refused to leave my home:

8. I got in a fight while you were there:

::WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MY::

9. Personality:

10. Eyes:

11. Style:

12. Body:

::WOULD YOU::

13. Help me hide a body?

14. Keep a secret if I told you one?

15. Hold my hand?

16. Take a bullet for me?

17. Try to solve my problems?

18. Love me?

19. Date me?

::HAVE YOU EVER::

20. Lied to make me feel better?

21. Wanted to kiss me?

22. Wanted to kill me?

23.Broke my heart?

24. Kept something important from me?

25.Thought I was unbearably annoying?

::AND MORE::

26. Who are you?

27. Are we friends?

28. When and how did we meet?

29. Describe me n three words:

30.What was your first impression?

31.Do you still think that way about me now?

32. What reminds you of me?

33. If you could give me anything, what would it be?

34. How well do you know me?

35.Whens the last time you saw me?

36. Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn't?

37. Are you gonna repost this to see what I say about you?

Well I learned alot about my Redneck. It was really cool! Have fun with this.?

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10:40 PM - 7/20/2006 - comments {3} - post comment

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I got my new phone!!

Posted by MisCatt

I finally got my new phone today!! Thank GOD!! You know I cant live without my leash to the outside world! And I miss talking to my girlfriend at 5 o'clock in the morning! LOL!..... Its true! Speaking of true.... On my myspace account I keep geting these "True" ads? Its like the gay Match.com!! I asked My redneck if she got them too, but she said no, never! Whatever, I just think its kinda funny! On my profile it says Bi, but also in a relationship!?! I dont care, I have no interest in meeting lonely women that cant get laid..... or like cybersex!!! I dont even like phone sex! Dirty text messages is about as far as I go if Im not with someone!! Just ask my redneck!!Right.................................. Well.................Yeah.......................

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7:32 PM - 7/20/2006 - comments {0} - post comment

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I just love this! I think its beautiful!!

Posted by MisCatt

Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns then holding hands?

Love is tender& knows no gender!!!

I would rather be hated for who Iam,

Then be loved for who I'm not!!!!!

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9:47 PM - 7/16/2006 - comments {1} - post comment

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I DONT NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by MisCatt

So just the other day I went to a new PT and went in and walked around, and did some stretches, and blah blah blah. And the guy asked me if I was still on any meds and I told him no! Which IS the truth, and he asked me if I thought I needed PT!?! And of coarse I said NO! And he agreed with me! It was fucking awsome!! So right then he called my companys insurance chick.....lets call her KV. Shes ben super cool through all of this and really helped me alot! So anyway!!!! He told her what he thought and so now shes looking for a new Dr. so that he can just give me the Ok Go paper work I need to go back!!! Im so happy! I cant wait to get back to my redneck! (Maybe then we can stop fighting!) Im really getting up to that point of Im going to hurt someone or myself if I dont get out of this place very soon! So this should be it! Once Im out of here! Im never coming back!! I men I'll visit... but I will visit. sometimes! LOL!! Whatever Im happy!!

~Blessed Be~ MisCatt

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6:11 PM - 7/16/2006 - comments {1} - post comment

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The fucking pile isnt there!

Posted by MisCatt

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I need help!!!

Posted by MisCatt

My redneck is driving me crazy!!!!!Half the time she loves me and the other half I feel like shes falling away from me! And it really fucking sucks! Im am trying to get back to her and be with her cause thats what I want and thats what will make me happy! And once I'm there I know I could make her happy! But I just feel like she dosent really belive it!Ya know what I mean?! And I love her so much! And speaking of loving her she just sent me a text message that said "I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!" . Last night she told me that if I dont go to her ship she is gonna quit! Cool I understand, but if she quits then I told her that I would quit too and we could just come back to Texas, and then we could be together! But she didnt really sound like she we into that idea very much. I also told her that if not Texas than wherever she wanted to go I would go too! But she still didnt sound real happy about any of it. Also when we were talking somehow gay marriage came up and we were talking about one of her friends went to canada and did it, and also in spain its legal. And just fucking aroundI told her if we ever did I wanted to go to Spain cause Canada sucks! And she she shot me this really negative energy and said "who ever said we would get married!?!" And I just felt like I should apologise to her or something! Like I felt bad about saying it! It was really weird! I really love her alot and I dont want to like make this out to be bigger worse than it is, but I dont want her to give up on us! She is all I think about all day every day! And sometimes I feel like my heart is breaking and then other times I feel like it will explod in my chest cause I love her so much it hurts! But in a good way! I just wish she knew how much I love her and care about her! I would do anything for her! I just dont know what to do! Any advice? Anyone? Im trying to get back ASAP! Well thats all for now.

~Blessed Be~ MisCatt

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11:07 AM - 6/14/2006 - comments {1} - post comment

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To My Darling Beck!

Posted by MisCatt

Babes I miss you so much sometimes it is painfull! Darling I cant wait untill I can hold you in my arms once again! I want to be able to hold your right hand and feel that damn ring pinch my skin once again! Who would have thought I would ever miss that ring? singing our remix of "Your Beautiful in your badass X- terra!

Ihavent finished this blog but I will later.

I Luv U My Resneck!

~Blessed Be~ MisCatt

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12:46 AM - 6/8/2006 - comments {1} - post comment

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Why do I let them do this!!

Posted by MisCatt

??????? I fucking hate this place!! I just want to get back to the ship and forget about these people for a few precious moments. I tried to talk to my mother about puting a music site on her computer and of coarse before I could even finish my sentence she just looks at me with that look! and says "NO!!" So I just said ok, fine. Never fucking mind. Fuck I dont want to talk to someone like that. I mean she can be such a bitch sometimes! And I know that Im not the easiest person to get along with and I can be overly sensitive. But she has no idea what its like to be stuck here all day with nothing to do and stuff that I could do, I cant cause Im still getting paid from the ship! My Redneck babes went back to the ship and now I wake up cold as ice. When we were cuddling I would steal her fire and wake up hot as hell and she would be cold as ice. So when we woke up it was all fire and ice. At least that what it was like for me. I was so mad at my mother and like not even 30 seconds after it was over my babes called and let me vent for a min. and I was fine. She has a weird calming effect on me. When I get mad she gives me sanity I so lack. And I hate my family! So fucking much!!

Im not crazy really I just have been writting this entry for way too long and my temper is blazing every time I attempt to interact with anyone in the family. So thats why this entryseems like Im bi-polar.

I have also been up for 31 1/2hours so far without caffeine, ShinerBock, Liquor, drugs, or legal OTC drugs.

What the fuck. Be Back Later I love you my redneck! If your reading this I miss you baby.........Miss Me Baby!

~Blessed Be~ MisCatt

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8:40 PM - 6/2/2006 - comments {2} - post comment

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Whats wrong with the redneck?

Posted by MisCatt

???????????? I want to go back to my ship! And now the redneck is trying to be funny!She went back to the ship about 3 weeks ago and I miss her too much!I cant wait to back to my ship. But the only problem is that she is going to be on a different ship! Well that and the fact that every time I talk to her there is someone new trying to get down her pants or take my side of the bed? And she will tell you I'm pretty violent when it comes to my side of the bed!!! I have been back home for about 3 months now and I am still quite far from being ready to go back to work. Since I was 16, untill now this is the 2nd longest I have ever been out of work. And the other time was because I had just run away from home and I was trying to find somewhere to live longer than a couple days.

I have no worries about her cheating on me at all. I trust her and if she meets some guy while we are apart and she really likes him I would tell her to rock the fuck on!! But I dont want her to meet any other girls to be interested in. Although there arent many I would see as a real threat. And guys are no threat at all to me. I love my Redneck. She keeps me sane.

Also the only reason for the title was that was what I had been asking her on the phone while I was writing!!

~ Blessed Be ~ MisCatt

5:30 PM - 4/2/2006 - comments {2} - post comment

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What would it take?

Posted by MisCatt

Would it work if I shot myseff in the head? In public view? Maybe then they would fucking notice me? But probably not! If anything they would probably just get pissed that I got their cloths dirty! Assholes! Sometimes I feel like Im not even real, that Im just dreaming cause as loud as everyone tells me Iam, no one in my family seems to hear me! Or maybe they just dont give a fuck about what I have to say!

????????? Tonight was my little brothers 20th birthday dinner!?They went out to a nice Persian restaurant and ate some nice food and I just kinda sat at the end of the table and watched them. A few times when I made an attempt to join in the conversation I was not shot down, or given a dirty look, I was just fucking ignored! If ignored is the right word, I mean I really just think they have gotten so used to tuning me out that its not even a problem anymore! But anyway........... Before we left to go the restaurant a few of us were siting in the living room and had a nice chat and listened to the new Cirque du solei soundtrack. All was going welll untill somehow the subject of homosexuality came upon the table! Mind this conversation was being had by myself, my brother and his girlfriend, the step father, and a close?family friend. Now dont get me wrong the family friend is cool as hell, hes really laid back and just has a cool attitude about everything. So anyway my step dad thinks that you are gay when you are born and there nothing you can do about it! Gay is gay and its just all about genetics!! You are just doomed by DNA to be gay or straight! Being a bi-sexual woman my self?I wanted to go?all kinds of Dike on his ass and just bloody him! I also have lots of Gay friends and was really?just?shocked by that!?And everyone else was just like what the fuck are you talking about?

?????? So I was already pissed to begin with! And then @ dinner Iwas like trying to say something to my brother and he was just totaly unresponsive! And I was like?" Well it would be nice if you would listen to me or at least act like you fucking hear me!"? Ok I didnt say "fucking" but the rest is true! And right after I got done rolling my eyes?in his direction ?the family friend(FF) turned to me and said " hey I'm listining to you" and gave me this 'I know what you mean' look! And I just thought that was really fucking cool of him!! So I just talked to him all night. And I usualy dont really like my parents friends cause their just a little too stuffy for my taste, but FF was really cool and nice! Like he got all my jokes and I actually got all of his too! Even the one that my parents totaly didnt have a clue about!So like most of the dinner was enjoyable! Like I actually had a nice time(Not to mention the glass and a half of wine helped alot too!LOL!)?And then he left and I was back in?hell!?Im fucking tired! I'll come back to this later!!

????????

???????????????????????? ~Blessed Be~

??????????????????????????????????? MisCatt

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11:45 PM - 4/1/2006 - comments {0} - post comment

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Isn't There Some Misunderstanding?...

Posted by Paul Harper

From 'My Utmost For His Highest' by Oswald Chambers

’Let us go to Judea again.’ The disciples said to Him, ’. . . are You going there again?’
"John 11:7-8

Just because I do notunderstand what Jesus Christ says, I have no right to determine that He must be mistaken in what He says. That is a dangerous view, and it is never right to think that my obedience to God’s directive will bring dishonor to Jesus. The only thing that will bring dishonor is not obeying Him. To put my view of His honor ahead of what He is plainly guiding me to do is never right, even though it may come from a real desire to prevent Him from being put to an open shame. I know when the instructions have come from God because of their quiet persistence. But when I begin to weigh the pros and cons, and doubt and debate enter into my mind, I am bringing in an element that is not of God. This will only result in my concluding that His instructions to me were not right. Many of us are faithful to our ideas about Jesus Christ, but how many of us are faithful to Jesus Himself? Faithfulness to Jesus means that I must step out even when and where I can’t see anything (see Matthew 14:29 ). But faithfulness to my own ideas means that I first clear the way mentally. Faith, however, is not intellectual understanding; faith is a deliberate commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ, even when I cannot see the way ahead.

Are you debating whether you should take a step of faith in Jesus, or whether you should wait until you can clearly see how to do what He has asked?

Simply obey Him with unrestrained joy. When He tells you something and you begin to debate, it is because you have a misunderstanding of what honors Him and what does not. Are you faithful to Jesus, or faithful to your ideas about Him? Are you faithful to what He says, or are you trying to compromise His words with thoughts that never came from Him? "Whatever He says to you, do it" ( John 2:5 ).

Let us journey on...

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6:41 AM - Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - comments {5} - post comment

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Back 4rm Hawaii, back 2 hell

Posted by MisCatt

Well I have been in Hawaii for the last 5 months, and now Im back home. Broken. A week before I was supposed to go on vacation I slipped in the galley and busted my ass! Now insted of vacation,? so now I'm on medical leave, on vacation! It sucks but its nice to be home. Although I can barely walk, I have constant?headachs and untill last week I couldn't move my right arm with out extreme pain!! But its cool, cuz im getting paid! So this is week 4 of my vacation/ med leave, and the 1st week I went to the doctor and set up all of my shit with the company. But the second week I went back to San Antonio spent lots of money, saw lots of friends and got into lots of trouble, but I'll save that for another paragraph.And this last week I went to Taos NM and went skiing with my family for spring break. And although my friends begged me to stay and hang with them and another opted for me?to stay back a few days and drive up with my best friend. But no?I didnt listen and I went up with my family against my friends begging and look what happened!?! On the first day I busted my ass once again breaking this assholes fall and fucked up my knee even more and spent the whole week in bed alone, in a fucking cabin in cold ass NM! But its cool cause I'm not paying for the doctor bills, the company I work for is cause I broke myself on the clock on the ship! Fuck em! o now Im back to my journal trying to update it with all the juicy stories from the cruise ship!?6months of working every single day 70 hours at work under constant supervision from security and other crew members and I cant wait to go back!! Spicy stories to come!!?

~ Blessed Be~

MisCatt

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11:52 PM - 3/21/2006 - comments {0} - post comment

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Everyday Blessings by Max Lucado...

Posted by Paul Harper

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1, NKJV

Of all we don't know about the creation, there is one thing we do know-God did it with a smile. He must've had a blast. Painting the stripes on the zebra, hanging the stars in the sky, putting the gold in the sunset. What creativity!...

Like a whistling carpenter in his workshop, he loved every bit of it. He poured himself into the work. So intent was his creativity that he took a day off at the end of the week just to rest.

Let us journey on...

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7:23 AM - Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - comments {1} - post comment

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The Opened Sight... from 'My Utmost for His Highest' by Oswald Chambers

Posted by Paul Harper

I now send you, to open their eyes . . . that they may receive forgiveness of sins . . .
-Acts 26:17-18

This verse is the greatest example of the true essence of the message of a disciple of Jesus Christ in all of the New Testament.

God´s first sovereign work of grace is summed up in the words, ". . . that they may receive forgiveness of sins . . . ." When a person fails in his personal Christian life, it is usually because he has never received anything. The only sign that a person is saved is that he has received something from Jesus Christ. Our job as workers for God is to open people´s eyes so that they may turn themselves from darkness to light. But that is not salvation; it is conversion-only the effort of an awakened human being. I do not think it is too broad a statement to say that the majority of so-called Christians are like this. Their eyes are open, but they have received nothing. Conversion is not regeneration. This is a neglected fact in our preaching today. When a person is born again, he knows that it is because he has received something as a gift from Almighty God and not because of his own decision. People may make vows and promises, and may be determined to follow through, but none of this is salvation. Salvation means that we are brought to the place where we are able to receive something from God on the authority of Jesus Christ, namely, forgiveness of sins.

This is followed by God´s second mighty work of grace: ". . . an inheritance among those who are sanctified . . . ." In sanctification, the one who has been born again deliberately gives up his right to himself to Jesus Christ, and identifies himself entirely with God´s ministry to others.

Let us journey on...

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6:09 AM - Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

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Does Evil Exist?...

Posted by Paul Harper

We Christians know that evil exists in the heart of man as well as his actions (See Romans 7:15-21). This is a fictional conversation and was at one time attributed to Albert Einstein as the second student, this is not true. Enjoy. ph

Does evil exist?

The university professor challenged his students with this question. Did God create everything that exists?

A student bravely replied yes, he did!"

"God created everything?" The professor asked.

"Yes, sir," the student replied.

The professor answered, "If God created everything, then God created evil since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are then God is evil."

The student became quiet before such an answer.

The professor was quite pleased with himself and boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth.

Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question professor?" "Of course", replied the professor. The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?"

"What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?" The students snickered at the young man's question.

The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Everybody and every object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (- 460 degrees F) is the total absence of heat; all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have too little heat.

The student continued. "Professor, does darkness exist?"

The professor responded, "Of course it does".

The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."

Finally the young man asked the professor. "Sir, does evil exist?"

Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. "These manifestations are nothing else but evil."

To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not like faith, or love, that exist just as does light and heat. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down.

Let us journey on... staying teachable...

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10:36 AM - Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - comments {1} - post comment

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What if God Installed Voicemail?...

Posted by Paul Harper

Most of us have now learned to live with voice mail as a necessary part of our
lives. Have you ever wondered what it would be like if God decided to install
voice mail? Imagine praying and hearing the following:

Thank you for calling heaven¦

For English press 1
For Kiswahili press 2
For all other languages, press 3

Please select one of the following options:

Press 1 for request
Press 2 for thanksgiving
Press 3 for complaints
Press 4 for all others

I am sorry; all our Angels are busy helping other sinners right now. However,
your prayer is important to us and we will answer it in the order it was
received. Please stay on the line. If you would like to speak to:

God, press 1
Jesus, press 2
Holy Spirit, press 3

To find a loved one that has been assigned to heaven press 5, then enter his
social security # followed by the pound sign (If you receive a negative
response, please hang up and dial area code 666)

For reservations to heaven, please enter JOHN followed by the numbers, 3.16.

For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, Tsunami, oranges and bananas,
life and other planets, please wait until you arrive in heaven for the
specifics.

Our computers show that you have already been prayed for today, please hang up
and call again tomorrow.

The office is now closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday.

If you are calling after hours and need emergency assistance, please contact
your local pastor.

Thank you and have a heavenly day.

Let us journey on...

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10:01 AM - Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - comments {1} - post comment

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From My Family to Yours...

Posted by Paul Harper

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS FOR 2006

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind... Ephesians 4:23

God takes us through things so our pain is our gain,

Our misery becomes our ministry,

Our mess becomes our message.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ´s sufferings; that when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy... 1 Peter 4:12,13

Our families are free of debt

We are prospering, and our needs are met

We are living the abundant life.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly... John 10:10

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers... 3 John 1:2

Lord deliver us from the adversary´s attempt to entrap us mentally, physically and spiritually... Deliver us from other´s opinions of us... Deliver us from our egos and help us to recognize it is not about us, it is about the Kingdom... Deliver us from generational curses, whose only intent is to hold us back in fear, and hold us down to cause us to be defeated.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and a sound mind... 2 Timothy 1:7

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of

God... Romans 10:17

Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor My righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant... Psalms 35:27

This we declare and decree...In the Holy Name of Jesus... Amen.

Love, Grace and Peace... From The Harpers, New Years 2006

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9:20 AM - Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

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Our Daily Bread...

Posted by Paul Harper

Read:
Colossians 1:15-20

All things were created through Him and for Him. -Colossians 1:16

Russell Nagy's moving choral anthem "The Promise" contains these words:

Silently by night,
    in mortal flesh enshrouded,
He who framed the mountains
    draws first breath.
Far from human sight,
    the Promise ne'er forgotten
Is in love begotten
    to conquer death.
© 1993 by High Street Music

The marvel of Christmas is that the Maker of the mountains took His first breath as a baby. The One who framed the universe assumed human flesh so He could save us. The incarnation is the astounding combination of who descended from heaven to earth, how He arrived, and why He came. "For by Him all things were created . . . . And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. . . . For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, . . . having made peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:16-20).

When Jesus took His first breath on earth, a loving promise of God the Father was fulfilled. The Christ-child whom the angels announced and the shepherds proclaimed had come to die.

The baby in the manger was "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation" (v.15), "in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (v.14).

Posted by Paul Harper

The Cosecration of Spiritual Power

. . . by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world
-Galatians 6:14

If I dwell on the Cross of Christ, I do not simply become inwardly devout and solely interested in my own holiness- I become strongly focused on Jesus Christ´s interests. Our Lord was not a recluse nor a fanatical holy man practicing self-denial. He did not physically cut Himself off from society, but He was inwardly disconnected all the time. He was not aloof, but He lived in another world. In fact, He was so much in the common everyday world that the religious people of His day accused Him of being a glutton and a drunkard. Yet our Lord never allowed anything to interfere with His consecration of spiritual power.

Posted by Paul Harper

TEN COMMANDMENTS EBONICS STYLE

Sometimes you have to get the message across
as best we can. Try this for those who can't
understand the King James Version:

1. I'm God. Don't play me.
(I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any
other gods before me.)

2. Don't be makin no hood ornaments
and charms outta me, or like me.
(Thou shalt not have any graven images)

3. Don't be callin' me for no reason
(Thou shalt not use the name of the
Lord thy God in vain)

4. Y'all betta be in church on Sunday,
and not just the Sundays when
it's Mother's day, Easter
and Christmas
(Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy)

5. Don't dis or cuss out yo momma...
and if you know who ya daddy
is, don't dis him neither.
(Honor thy father and thy mother)

6. Don't be goin' on no drive bys.
(Thou shalt not kill)

7. Stick to ya own Boo.
(Thou shalt not commit adultery)

8. Don't be borrow'n stuff and
don't give it back.
(Thou shalt not steal)!

9. Don't be snitchin' on the otha'
man to save your behind.
(Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy brother)

10. Don't be eyein' (skeeming) yo
homie's crib, ride, woman,
or nuffin.
(Thou shalt not covet anything that belongs to thy brother).

Now behave.......I don't want to have to flood this joint again!!!

Let us Journey on... with a sense of humor...

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5:12 AM - Thursday, November 3, 2005 - comments {1} - post comment

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Hiding From God... Our Daily Bread...

Posted by Paul Harper

Two brothers were extremely mischievous and their parents were at their wits' end. So they asked their pastor to talk with the boys.

The pastor sat the younger one down first. He wanted him to think about God, so he started the conversation by asking, "Where is God?" The boy didn't respond, so he repeated the question in a stern tone.

Again he gave no answer. Frustrated, the pastor shook his finger in the boy's face and shouted, "Where is God?!" The boy bolted from the room, ran home, and hid in his closet. His brother followed him and asked, "What happened?" The younger boy replied, "We're in big trouble now. God is missing, and they think we did it!"

Sounds a bit like Adam and Eve, who were filled with guilt and tried to hide from God (Genesis 3:10). They had known the Lord's close fellowship, but now they were afraid to face Him. God pursued them, though, and asked, "What is this you have done?" Instead of repenting, Adam blamed God and Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent.

Posted by Paul Harper

The LORD said, "And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them."

-Exodus 3:9 (NIV)

A good friend of mine once said facetiously, "God acts like he's got forever." There's humor in the paradoxically true statement, yet it's not funny when we're in the process of waiting -- especially if the waiting involves suffering.

Consider the Israelites and how they suffered in Egypt. For years they cried out for deliverance, but it took years before God pulled Moses aside to say, "And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me." And now? They had been wailing for centuries, and finally God heard them? That's probably how it felt to the Israelites, but not to God.

In order to rescue the Israelites, God needed a leader -- Moses. God had been preparing Moses in the desert for this task. And when Moses was ready, God began moving in more noticeable ways. Our tendency is to believe that nothing is happening if nothing appears to change. But God is always at work. If we remember that, it can make our waiting easier.

Dana Ryan (Arizona, U.S.A.)

Dear God, forgive us for our impatience. Help us to learn how to wait and trust you in all situations. Amen.

God is always at work.

Those who feel like God has forgotten them

Let us journey on...

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5:28 AM - Monday, October 31, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Thank You, Lord...

Posted by Paul Harper

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl

when the alarm rings. Thank you, Lord, that I

can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the

morning light as long as possible. Thank you,

Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off

rising. Thank you, Lord, that I have the

strength to rise. There are many who are

bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is

hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned,

tempers are short, and my children are so loud.

Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are

many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks

like the picture in magazines and the menu is

at times unbalanced.

Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There

are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is

monotonous. Thank you, Lord, for the

opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from

day to day and wish my circumstances were not

so modest.

Thank you, Lord, for life.

Let us journey on... with an attitude of gratitude...

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11:30 AM - Wednesday, October 26, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Get Rid of the Frogs...

Posted by Paul Harper

"When shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses?"

-(Exodus 8:9)

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I Am A Christian by Maya Angelou...

Posted by Paul Harper

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say. "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow.

Let us journey on...

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10:30 AM - Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - comments {1} - post comment

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B.A.D. ...

Posted by Paul Harper

While shopping at a local Wal-Mart, I spotted a man with an acronym on

his shirt that had B.A.D. Me, being the person that I am (curious), I

stopped the man and asked, "What does B.A.D. stand for?" And trust

me, I was amazed at what his response was.

He replied, B.A.D. stands for: "Blessed And Delivered".

That thought stuck with me as I finished doing my shopping that day.

So I came up with a little advice for you today.

1. When the enemy tries to attack you, be B.A.D.

2. When things don't seem to be going right on your job, be B.A.D.

3. When things are not looking good in your relationship, be B.A.D.

4. When folks scandalize your name, just be B.A.D.

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The Shipwreck...

Posted by Paul Harper

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me?!" he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.

Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.

Let us journey on... in His grace...

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6:37 AM - Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Peace Within You...

Posted by Paul Harper

May there be peace within you today.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones and allow your soul
the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us!

Let us journey on... in grace and peace...

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6:37 AM - Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Memo...

Posted by Paul Harper

    Date: TODAY
           From: THE BOSS
               Subject: YOURSELF
         Reference: LIFE

I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help.

If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. All situations will be resolved, but in my time, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.

If 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 years.

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 to feed her children.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking 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 one of them.

Let us journey on...

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6:37 AM - Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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iM IN mARYLAND!!!

Posted by MisCatt

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11:46 AM - 10/11/2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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God...

Posted by Paul Harper

The man whispered, "God, speak to me"

And a meadowlark sang.

But, the man did not hear.

So the man yelled, "God, speak to me"

And thunder rolled across the sky.

But, the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God let me see you."

And a star shined brightly.

But the man did not see.

And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle."

And, a life was born.

But, the man did not notice.

So, the man cried out in despair,

"Touch me God, and let me know you are here."

Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man...

But, the man brushed a butterfly away, and walked on.

I found this to be a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted...

Let us journey on... not taking for granted He who is with us always...

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12:08 PM - Monday, October 10, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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More Quotes...

Posted by Paul Harper

Real prayer is communion with God, so that there will be common thoughts between His mind and ours. What is needed is for Him to fill our hearts with His thoughts, and then His desires will become our desires flowing back to Him

-Arthur W. Pink

Christ will be master of the heart, and sin must be mortified. If your life is unholy, then your heart is unchanged, and you are an unsaved person. The Savior will sanctify His people, renew them, give them a hatred of sin, and a love of holiness. The grace that does not make a man better than others is a worthless counterfeit. Christ saves His people, not IN their sins, but FROM their sins. Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord

-Charles Spurgeon

Where the unveiled glories of the Deity shall beat full upon us, and we for ever sun ourseves in the smiles of God

-Ezekiel Hopkins

The Christian soldier must avoid two evils he must not faint or yield in the time of fight, and after a victory he must not wax insolent and secure. When he has overcome, he is so to behave himself as though he were presently again to be assaulted. For Satan's temptations, like the waves of the sea, do follow one in the neck of the other

-George Downame

Let us journey on... a little wiser...

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11:28 AM - Monday, October 10, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Quote of the Day...

Posted by Paul Harper

Posted by Paul Harper

Coming to Jesus

Come to Me . . .
-Matthew 11:28

Isn´t it humiliating to be told that we must come to Jesus! Think of the things about which we will not come to Jesus Christ. If you want to know how real you are, test yourself by these words- "Come to Me . . . ." In every dimension in which you are not real, you will argue or evade the issue altogether rather than come; you will go through sorrow rather than come; and you will do anything rather than come the last lap of the race of seemingly unspeakable foolishness and say, "Just as I am, I come." As long as you have even the least bit of spiritual disrespect, it will always reveal itself in the fact that you are expecting God to tell you to do something very big, and yet all He is telling you to do is to "Come . . . ."

"Come to Me . . . ." When you hear those words, you will know that something must happen in you before you can come. The Holy Spirit will show you what you have to do, and it will involve anything that will uproot whatever is preventing you from getting through to Jesus. And you will never get any further until you are willing to do that very thing. The Holy Spirit will search out that one immovable stronghold within you, but He cannot budge it unless you are willing to let Him do so.

How often have you come to God with your requests and gone away thinking, "I´ve really received what I wanted this time!" And yet you go away with nothing, while all the time God has stood with His hands outstretched not only to take you but also for you to take Him. Just think of the invincible, unconquerable, and untiring patience of Jesus, who lovingly says, "Come to Me . . . ."

Let us journey on... with a little more knowledge...

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6:46 AM - Saturday, October 8, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Potty Training Time...

Posted by The Mom

Posted by Paul Harper

Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks,and shirt as he went.

He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could.

Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him.

From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my dad wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.

The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way.

But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins.

And if you have the scars of His love on your arms (or anywhere else), be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.

God has blessed you so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through.

Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them.

Let us journey on... humbled...

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9:23 AM - Wednesday, September 28, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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I really am a neat freak...

Posted by The Mom

For those who know me, you know I am pretty picky about how things are placed and organized so when my daughter's room looks like this, I have to think, "Who's kid is this?" Actually, she is very anal about: where the dolls and stuffed animals are laying on the floor, making sure each and every one of them is covered up, and letting you know to "shhhh, the babies are sleeping." I don't know where she has picked these "nesting" habits up because I swear I didn't ever lay her randomly on the floor and cover her head to toe with blankets, towels, or wash clothes. She is such the big girl now. And see her bed in the photos, I'm thinking of moving her into a big girl bed because it's about time and A CRIB ON WHEELS IS A DANGEROUS WEAPON!

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10:16 AM - 9/26/2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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A Prayer of Remembrance...

Posted by Paul Harper

A Prayer of Remembrance

Eternal God,
our Alpha and Omega,
the one who was before anything
and will endure beyond all things,
we close our eyes and
memories flood our minds.

We remember family and friends,
experiences and events that have shaped us.

We see faces of dear ones no longer with us.
And we feel buoyed up
by those countless witnesses
who have gone before us,
linking one generation to the next
and stretching back
to the foundations of our faith.

We give thanks for all
who have gone before us
and who have helped guide us
on our way.

When we feel discouraged,
remind us of their example.

We acknowledge that not all memories are happy.
Keep us from drowning in memories of the past
that prevent us from living fully
in the present
and impede us from greeting
the promise of the future.

Release us from memories
that bind us tighter
than Lazarus' grave clothes.

Heal us and send us on our way.

Make our memories
serve as a measure of how far
we have come by faith.
In recounting our stories,
help us inspire others
on their journeys.

When we grow weary or lose courage,
whisper your secrets of grace to us
and help us attune our ears
to the songs of the faithful
that urge us onward.

Remind us of your love and faithfulness.

With the cloud of witnesses cheering us on,
draw us into the future.

By the example of the saints,

Dare us to imagine
some bright new future of joy.

Lead us to the city
rising anew on your holy mountain
where all are gathered in
and where all memories reside
with you.

In Jesus' Name

Amen.

-George R. Graham

Let us journey on... with precious memories...

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5:40 PM - Friday, September 23, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Everyday Blessings by Max Lucado...

Posted by Paul Harper

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Revelation 21:4

Someday God will wipe away your tears. The same hands that stretched the heavens will touch your cheeks. The same hands that formed the mountains will caress your face. The same hands that curled in agony as the Roman spike cut through will someday cup your face and brush away your tears.

Let us journey on...

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9:38 AM - Friday, September 23, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Trying to be like the best...

Posted by The Mom

...(hint, hint), ME! Photo #1: Here is the bean, dressed in one of my millions of pairs of shoes. And yes, before you ask, I did say millions. So maybe I am a exaggerating a bit, but my dad's nickname for me has been Imelda Marcus for many years. Ok, but back to the point. Mal is cute at first, until she starts clunking around the hardwood floors. I pity the gals downstairs. Photo #2: I was putting away laundry and Mallory took this pair of socks, which are now the new fashion trend for toddlers...thigh high leg warmers. All the kids are wearing them. I guess I should stop pulling my socks up all of the way and wearing them around the house or my daughter is going to be sporting that style at school.

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3:08 PM - 9/21/2005 - comments {3} - post comment

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Can We Know God Intimately?...

Posted by Paul Harper

What does "to know God" mean in the Bible? Is it possible to know God intimately and be His friend? It means much more than just knowing about God. God wants us to know Him and His love & mercy & goodness,... in very personal and real ways, to enjoy His presence in our lives, and to see and then join Him in His activity & work in and around us.

"This is Eternal Life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent."                                                            - John 17:3

".... So that you may know and believe Me (God), and understand that I am He."
                                                                                    - Isaiah 43:10

"Teach me your ways so that I may know you and continue in your favor."
                                                                                    - Exodus 33:13

The Hebrew word "yada" is used in the Old Testament and is translated in English as the word "Know" or "Knowledge". The Hebrew word yada has a much wider sweep and meaning than the English word know. The Biblical Old Testament word for Knowing God means the following; to know God means:

- to Perceive - to Learn
- to Understand   - to Recognize
- to Believe     - to Accept His Claims
  - to Conform     - to Be Willing
- to Perform or Live      - to Obey
- to See or Experience

These words that all come out of the Hebrew word "yada" all hold important keys to getting to know God the way that He wants us to know Him. The opposite of knowing God is not ignorance or a lack of knowledge, but is Rebellion.

The Greek words "oida" and "ginosko" are used in the New Testament. They have the wider meanings as the Hebrew word "yada", but in the context that they are used in the New Testament, they also have the following additional meaning: to know God means:

- to Believe & Accept Jesus - to Know Truth
- to Know Jesus is to Know God - to Respond in Faith

"O, the fulness, the pleasure, the sheer excitement of knowign God on earth." - Jim Elliott (ex-Missionary)

"Teach me Your ways, so that I may know you , and continue to find favor with You." - Moses (Exodus 33:13)

"I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things." - Paul (Philippians 3:7-10)

Let us journey on... intimately with our Creator...

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5:54 PM - Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - comments {2} - post comment

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How Can I Become More Like Christ?...

Posted by Paul Harper

Answer: Becoming conformed to the image and character of Christ is God's desire for all who come to know Him. Ephesians 4:14-16 tells us that we become like Christ by growing in our knowledge of Him, "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." This fact is reiterated once more in 2 Peter 3:17-18, "Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

Romans 12:1-2 tells us emphatically that this process of filling our minds with the knowledge of God not only brings us closer to being like Christ but it is this process which produces the will of God when become obedient to it, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. " Luke 9 sums it up best when he describes to us what Jesus told His disciples, "²² And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." ²³Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." God simply wants us to forget about this world and all it's temporary pleasures, and be obedient to God's Word. Jesus was the living Word (John 1:1ff) and the Bible is God's written Word.

It is important to realize that becoming more like Christ first starts by receiving Him as Savior from your sins. Then growing in your knowledge of God by reading your Bible daily, studying it and then being obedient to what it says. This process allows you to grow and occurs over your entire life in Christ. Only when we have entered Heaven for eternity with God does this process reach its culmination.

Let us journey on... being conformed to His image...

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5:47 PM - Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Who is Jesus Christ?...

Posted by Paul Harper

Answer: Who is Jesus Christ? Unlike the question, "Does God exist?", very few people have questioned whether Jesus Christ existed. It is generally accepted that Jesus was truly a man who walked on the earth in Israel almost 2000 years ago. The debate begins when the subject of Jesus' full identity is discussed. Almost every major religion teaches that Jesus was a prophet, or a good teacher, or a godly man. The problem is, the Bible tells us that Jesus was infinitely more than a prophet, a good teacher, or a godly man.

C.S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity writes the following: "I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him [Jesus Christ]: "I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God." That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on a level with a man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse .... You can shut him up for fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that option open to us. He did not intend to."

So, who did Jesus claim to be? Who does the Bible say He was? First, let's look at Jesus´ words in John 10:30, "I and the Father are one." At first glance, this might not seem to be a claim to be God. However, look at the Jews´ reaction to His statement, "We are not stoning you for any of these, replied the Jews, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God" (John 10:33). The Jews understood Jesus´ statement to be a claim to be God. In the following verses, Jesus never corrects the Jews by saying, "I did not claim to be God." That indicates Jesus was truly saying He was God by declaring, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). John 8:58 is another example. Jesus proclaimed, "I tell you the truth, Jesus answered, before Abraham was born, I am!" Again, in response, the Jews take up stones in an attempt to stone Jesus (John 8:59). Jesus announcing His identity as "I am" is a direct application of the Old Testament name for God (Exodus 3:14). Why would the Jews again want to stone Jesus if He hadn´t said something they believed to be blasphemous, namely, a claim to be God?

John 1:1 says that "the Word was God." John 1:14 says that "the Word became flesh." This clearly indicates that Jesus is God in the flesh. Thomas the disciple declared to Jesus, "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). Jesus does not correct him. The Apostle Paul describes Him as, "...our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). The Apostle Peter says the same, "...our God and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1). God the Father is witness of Jesus´ full identity as well, "But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom." Old Testament prophecies of Christ announce His deity, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

So, as C.S. Lewis argued, believing Jesus to be a good teacher is not an option. Jesus clearly and undeniably claimed to be God. If He is not God, then He is a liar, and therefore not a prophet, good teacher, or godly man. In attempts to explain the words of Jesus away, modern "scholars" claim the "true historical Jesus" did not say many of the things the Bible attributes to Him. Who are we to argue with God´s Word concerning what Jesus did or did not say? How can a "scholar" two-thousand years removed from Jesus have better insight into what Jesus did or did not say than those who lived with, served with, and were taught by Jesus Himself (John 14:26)?

Why is the question over Jesus´ true identity so important? Why does it matter whether or not Jesus is God? The most important reason that Jesus has to be God is that if He is not God, His death would not have been sufficient to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world (1John 2:2). Only God could pay such an infinite penalty (Romans 5:8; 2Corinthians 5:21). Jesus had to be God so that He could pay our debt. Jesus had to be man so He could die. Salvation is available only through faith in Jesus Christ! Jesus´ deity is why He is the only way of salvation. Jesus´ deity is why He proclaimed, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

Let us journey on... with greater knowledge...

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5:41 PM - Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - comments {1} - post comment

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Is The Priesthood of All Belivers Biblical?...

Posted by Paul Harper

Answer: There is one main passage that deals with the priesthood of all believers. It is as follows: "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone," and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;" (1 Peter 2:5-9).

Old Testament priests were chosen by God, not self-appointed; and they were chosen for a purpose: to serve God with their lives by offering up sacrifices first in the tabernacle and then later in the temple. Later, David also appointed some of them to praise God in song as well. The Temple Service served as a picture or "type" of the coming ministry of Jesus Christ...a picture that was then no longer needed once His sacrifice on the cross was completed. When the thick temple veil that covered the doorway to the Holy of Holies where God's presence dwelt above the Mercy Seat (the lid covering the ark of the covenant) was torn in two by God at the time of Christ's death on the cross for our sin (Matthew 27:51), God was indicating that the Old Testament priesthood was no longer necessary...now people could come directly to God through the great High Priest, Jesus Christ, who serves the Father in Heaven (Hebrews 4:14-16). There are now no earthly mediators between God and man as existed in the Old Testament priesthood.

Christ our High Priest has made one sacrifice for sin for all time (Hebrews 10:12), and there is no more sacrifice for sin that can be made (Hebrews 10:26). But as priests once offered other kinds of sacrifices in the temple (free will offerings, etc.), so it is clear from 1 Peter 2:5,9 that God has chosen Christians "to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:5-9 speaks of two aspects of the priesthood of the believer. The first is that believers are privileged. To be chosen by God to be a priest was a privilege. And all believers have been chosen by God: a "chosen generation...His own special people" (verse 9). In the Old Testament tabernacle and temple, there were places where only the priests could go, and into the Holy of Holies, behind a thick veil, only the High Priest could go and that only once a year on the Day of Atonement when he made a sin offering on behalf of all of the people. But as mentioned above, because of Jesus' death upon the cross of Calvary, all believers now have direct access to the throne of God through Jesus Christ our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). What a privilege to be able to access the very throne of God directly, not through any earthly priest. When Christ returns and the New Jerusalem comes to earth (Revelation 21), believers will see God face-to-face and will serve Him there (Revelation 22:3-4)...again, what a privilege especially for us who were once "not a people"..."without hope"...destined for destruction because of our sin.

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Where was Jesus, and what did He do, during the three days after His death and before His Resurrection?...

Posted by Paul Harper

Answer: 1 Peter 3:18-19 states, "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison."

The phrase, "by the Spirit," in verse 18 is exactly the same construction as the phrase, "in the flesh." So it seems best to relate the word "spirit" to the same realm as the word "flesh." The flesh and spirit are Christ's flesh and spirit. The words "made alive by (in) the spirit," point to the fact that Christ's sin-bearing and death brought about the separation of His human spirit from the Father (Matthew 27:46). The contrast is between flesh and spirit, as in Matthew 27:41 and Romans 1:3-4, and not between Christ's flesh and the Holy Spirit. When Christ's atonement for sin was completed, His spirit resumed the fellowship which had been broken.

First Peter 3:18-22 describes a necessary link between Christ's suffering (verse 18) and His glorification (verse 22). Only Peter gives specific information about what happened between these two events. The word "preached" in verse 19 is not the usual word in the New Testament to describe the preaching of the gospel. It literally means to herald a message. Jesus suffered and died on the Cross, His body being put to death, and His spirit died when He was made sin. But His spirit was made alive and He yielded it to the Father. According to Peter, sometime between His death and His resurrection Jesus made a special proclamation to "the spirits in prison."

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My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers...

Posted by Paul Harper

What To Renounce

We have renounced the hidden things of shame . . .
-2 Corinthians 4:2

Posted by MisCatt

Well where to begin?

Lets start where I left off last, I had just turned 21. Happy birthday to me!! I had a job working at a horrible country club. Where the members were almost as stupid as the employees!! And just recently they closed the dinning room at night and let go of the night crew!! Belive me when I say it was not an unpleasent parting!!

But all is well in paradise at the moment because in about a week and a half I should be leaving for hawaii!!! I have been hired on a cruise line touring the hawaiian islands!! Also my best friend Butter was hired as well!! She has already left for training in Maryland, but I should be joining her very soon!! Thats about all for the moment but later tonight I will be back will all the dirty details of whats really been going on for th past two months!! Thats gonna be a hella long entry!!!

But before I go I have to make a sout out to my boy DJ!! If you are reading this... I miss you!! And also I lost my cell phone and everyones # that I had in it so give me a call and tell me how your doing or e-mail me, or hell just post a comment!!

~Blessed Be~ MisCatt

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11:16 PM - 9/13/2005 - comments {1} - post comment

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YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!!!!

Posted by MisCatt

If anyone really understands this please comment!!

Music is moral law.

It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind,

flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness and a gaiety and life to everything.

It is the essence of order and leads to all that is good, true and beautiful.

Plato

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11:01 AM - 9/12/2005 - comments {2} - post comment

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Hey Babes I Back!!

Posted by MisCatt

Cant write much at the moment.... I have a shadow lurking right now, but I'll be back tonight!!

Pleasantries, Pleasentries!!

~Blessed Be~ MisCatt

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10:26 AM - 9/10/2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Her First Boyfriend...

Posted by The Mom

This is cute...for now!

Sixteen years (preferably give, rather than, take a few) from now, opinions might change!

This is little Miss Mallie with her current boyfriend, Corbin. Mal is something of a cradle robber because Corbin just turned two a few weeks ago while she is 2 years, 5 months. He is more in love with her though, of course, and carries her photo around the house saying "My Mallory". So sweet. Don't tell Corbin, but rumor around the daycare is that "John John" is her playground sweetie.

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2:25 PM - 9/9/2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Never Underestimate the Power of Expectation...

Posted by Paul Harper

As I was eating breakfast this morning, I happened to be listening to Robert Schuller and thought I'd pass on to you his closing illustration. To the best of my recollection, it went something like this.

"I recently met a professor in physics who told me that he taught at a university where he was told he needed to flunk 50% of his students each year. And each year, that's exactly what happened-50% of his students failed. Then he started attending a church where the pastor kept preaching on being positive and believing the best about others. Finally, over time, he bought it all-hook, line and sinker. The next fall, he began his class with the following statement.

'Class, in previous years, 50% of the students have failed this course. But this year, I have a feeling, that this year is going to be different. I've checked your records and you are a special group of students. So this year, I'm confident that none of you are going to fail. And to that end, I'm going to help you succeed.'

At the end of that semester," Schuller said, "not one student failed. One got a C+, another one got a B-, but the rest of his students got B's and A's-and the professor concluded with this statement, 'And I didn't change my grading criteria one iota'"

Incredible! You know that the intellectual capacity of students didn't change (it was just a normal distribution of students). You know that content didn't really change. And you know that the grading didn't change. There was only one thing that changed. And that one thing was the attitude of the professor toward his students. Just by raising his expectations from failure to success, 50% of the students who would have failed in previous years didn't. That is simply incredible.

But it happens all of the time. The most famous experiment about this in education happened in the '60's in San Francisco and you can read about it in "Pygmalion in the Classroom." It that study, a normal distribution of students increased their IQ's by 15 to 30 points in one year simply because the teachers believed they were the best teachers and that they were given the best students (neither of which was true). Expectations drive so much of what happens around us.

So, as you look around you, what do you expect from those who are around you? Who do you expect the best from? Mediocrity from? And the worst from? And how much do you think your expectations play a role in how they perform? It could be your staff, your board members, your small group leaders, your ministry leaders, your spouse, your kids, your parents, your in-laws, your neighbors, your team members, or even yourself. For example, when I talk with pastors, they'll often say, "Well, no one can hit a home run every week. Sometimes you're going to hit a single and sometimes you're going to strike out. But you just keep getting up to the plate and every now and then you get to hit a home run." No! What a terrible expectation. I say, you go to the plate expecting to hit a home run every week. And if you expect that you'll hit a home run every week, you'll hit a whole lot more home runs (and an occasional triple or double, but no singles or strike outs).

So please, never underestimate the power of your expectations-on the people around you-or on yourself! In fact, why don't you raise them right now. You just might be surprised by the difference!

Copyright 2005. © Bruce Johnson. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Bruce Johnson is the Senior Pastor of Seneca Creek Community Church.
You can visit his blog here: http://www.brucedjohnson.com

Let us journey on... with high Expectations

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2:25 PM - Sunday, September 4, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Our Daily Bread...

Posted by Paul Harper

September 2, 2005

Check Your Blind Spots

Read:
Deuteronomy 6:1-9

These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. -Deuteronomy 6:6

When I was in high school, I had a driving instructor who gave me some sound advice. "You think by looking in the rearview mirror you know what is on your left side, but your vision is limited," he said. "Always look over your shoulder before changing lanes. There may be another car in your blind spot." His wise instruction has kept me out of more potential wrecks than I care to think about.

Moses had some wise instruction for the people of Israel. They were to make the study and contemplation of God's commandments an integral part of life. Moses said, "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up" (Deuteronomy 6:7). In short, God's words were to permeate every aspect of their lives.

The Bible is our instruction manual from God for navigating life's journey. But merely owning a copy is not enough. It must be studied, applied, and passed on to others.

Just as checking our blind spot should become an automatic response while we drive, applying God's Word should be our natural response as we encounter the hazards of life. It will help us avoid a spiritual crash. -Dennis Fisher

The Bible will transform our lives
And turn us from our sin,
If we will read it and obey
God's principles within. -Sper

The Bible will tell you what is wrong before you have done it! -Moody

Let us journey on... looking for those blind spots...

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7:09 AM - Friday, September 2, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Everyday Blessings by Max Lucado...

Posted by Paul Harper

You answer us in amazing ways, God our Savior.
Psalm 65:5

God never turns his back on those who ask honest questions. He never did in the Old Testament; he never did in the New Testament. So if you are asking honest questions of God, he will not turn away from you....

In learning to depend on God, we must accept that we may not know all the answers, but we know who knows the answers.

Let us journey on... knowing Who to thank for everything...

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5:34 PM - Thursday, September 1, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Our Daily Bread...

Posted by Paul Harper

August 31, 2005

The Only One

Read:
Psalm 34

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers. -1 Peter 3:12

As a teacher with many years of experience in high school and college classrooms, I have observed many kinds of students. One in particular is what I call the "just me and the teacher" student. This pupil has a kind of one-on-one conversation with the teacher-almost as if no one else were in the class. The teacher's rhetorical questions, for instance, result in verbal answers from this student-oblivious to anyone else's reaction. While the class is filled with other pupils, this one seems to think it's "just me and the teacher."

As I watched one of these students recently and saw him command the teacher's attention, I thought, He's on to something. He has the focus we all need to have when we pray.

The thought that millions of other Christians are talking to God as we pray should never cause us to feel that we are less important. No, as we talk to our everywhere-present, all-knowing, all-powerful God, we can be confident that He is giving us His full attention. David said, "This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him" (Psalm 34:6). God directs single-minded attention toward our praise, our requests, and our concerns.

When you pray, to Him you are the only one. -Dave Branon

So lift up your heart to the heavens;
There's a loving and kind Father there
Who offers release-comfort and peace-
In the silent communion of prayer. -Anon.
Though millions are bending God's ear in prayer, He listens to each individually.

Let us journey on... focused...

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4:11 PM - Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Everyday Blessings by Max Lucado...

Posted by Paul Harper

"I am the voice of one calling out in the desert."
John 1:23

John was a voice for Christ with more than his voice. His life matched his words. When a person's ways and words are the same, the fusion is explosive. But when a person says one thing and lives another, the result is destructive. People will know we are Christians, not because we bear the name, but because we live the life.

Let us journey on... living the life... as God intended...

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4:56 AM - Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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The Unsurpassed Intimacy of Tested Faith...

Posted by Paul Harper

From 'My Utmost for His Highest' by Oswald Chambers...

Jesus said to her, ´Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?´
-John 11:40

Every time you venture out in your life of faith, you will find something in your circumstances that, from a commonsense standpoint, will flatly contradict your faith. But common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense. In fact, they are as different as the natural life and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Can you venture out with courage on the words of Jesus Christ, while the realities of your commonsense life continue to shout, "It´s all a lie"? When you are on the mountaintop, it´s easy to say, "Oh yes, I believe God can do it," but you have to come down from the mountain to the demon-possessed valley and face the realities that scoff at your Mount-of-Transfiguration belief (see Luke 9:28-42 ).

Every time my theology becomes clear to my own mind, I encounter something that contradicts it. As soon as I say, "I believe ´God shall supply all [my] need,´ " the testing of my faith begins ( Philippians 4:19 ). When my strength runs dry and my vision is blinded, will I endure this trial of my faith victoriously or will I turn back in defeat?

Faith must be tested, because it can only become your intimate possession through conflict. What is challenging your faith right now? The test will either prove your faith right, or it will kill it. Jesus said, "Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me" Matthew 11:6 ). The ultimate thing is confidence in Jesus. "We have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end . . ." ( Hebrews 3:14 ).

Believe steadfastly on Him and everything that challenges you will strengthen your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith up to the point of our physical death, which is the last great test. Faith is absolute trust in God- trust that could never imagine that He would forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5-6 ).

Let us journey on... being tested... and being triumphant...

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4:52 PM - Monday, August 29, 2005 - comments {1} - post comment

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Grace and Peace to us all...

Posted by Paul Harper

Grace and Peace...

Did you know that the Apostle Paul started each one of his Epistles in such a manner. Not every epistle started with those exact words, but pretty much the same feelings throughout. Grace, the definition in Webster's is:

A disposition to be generous or helpful; goodwill.
Mercy; clemency.

Divine love and protection bestowed freely on people.
The state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God.
An excellence or power granted by God.

A short prayer of blessing or thanksgiving said before or after a meal.

We pretty much know what the grace before a meal is, but let's look at the other definitions...

God's disposition is to be generous, helpful, and He has nothing but goodwill for and toward His creations.

Mercy.. if we got what we deserved for our sins... you and I would just be piles of ashes instantly.

Divine love, Protection, Sanctification, Excellence... all of these synonymous with Grace.

Let's look at Peace:

Freedom from quarrels and disagreement; harmonious relations

Inner contentment; serenity

Free from strife

When we usually think of peace if you're my age or older.. I think of doves, peace signs , etc.

Freedom from quarrels or disagreements, serenity

Or the 'peace of God', that's the peace that God freely gives, even when the storms of life are raging against us...

Posted by Paul Harper

Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down - 73 in a 55 zone.

Fourth time in as many months.

How could a guy get caught so often?

When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour Jack pulled over, but only partially.

Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard.

Maybe some car will tweak his backside with a mirror.

The cop was stepping out of his car with the big pad in hand.

Bob? Bob from Church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat.

This was worse than the coming ticket.

A cop catching a guy from his own church.

A guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the office.

A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow.

Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform.

"Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."

"Hello, Jack." No smile.

"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."

"Yeah, I guess." Bob seemed uncertain. Good.

"I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit -just this once."

Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement.

"Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight, know what I mean?"

"I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct."

Ouch. This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics.

"What'd you clock me at?"

"Seventy. Would you sit back in your car please?"

"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as saw you. I was barely nudging 65."

The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.

"Please, Jack, in the car."

Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window.

The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad.

Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license?

Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.

"Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.

Bob returned to his police car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost?

Wait a minute.

What was this?

Some kind of joke?

Certainly not a ticket.

Jack began to read:

"Dear Jack, Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it- a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters, all three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven before I can ever hug her again.

A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful, Jack, my son is all I have left."

"Bob"

Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.

Life is precious. Handle with care. This is an important message; please pass it along to your friends. Drive safely and carefully.

Remember, cars are not the only things recalled by their maker.

Funny how you can read a thousand jokes and they spread like wildfire, but when you start reading messages regarding the sanctity of life, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how when you go to share this message, you will not share it with some, because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sharing it with them.

Pass this on, you may save a life. Maybe not, but we'll never know if we don't try.

May today there be peace within you. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. "I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

Please pass this on. There is no cost, but lots of rewards.

Let us journey on... safely...

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6:19 AM - Friday, August 26, 2005 - comments {1} - post comment

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Are you ever troubled?...

Posted by Paul Harper

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you . . .
-John 14:27

There are times in our lives when our peace is based simply on our own ignorance. But when we are awakened to the realities of life, true inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When our Lord speaks peace, He creates peace, because the words that He speaks are always "spirit, and they are life" ( John 6:63 ). Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? ". . . My peace I give to you . . ."- a peace that comes from looking into His face and fully understanding and receiving His quiet contentment.

Are you severely troubled right now? Are you afraid and confused by the waves and the turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life? Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found any well of peace, joy, or comfort? Does your life seem completely barren to you? Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus. Reflecting His peace is proof that you are right with God, because you are exhibiting the freedom to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. Allowing anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you either causes you to become troubled or gives you a false sense of security.

With regard to the problem that is pressing in on you right now, are you "looking unto Jesus" ( Hebrews 12:2 ) and receiving peace from Him? If so, He will be a gracious blessing of peace exhibited in and through you. But if you only try to worry your way out of the problem, you destroy His effectiveness in you, and you deserve whatever you get. We become troubled because we have not been taking Him into account. When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him. Lay everything out before Him, and when you are faced with difficulty, bereavement, and sorrow, listen to Him say, "Let not your heart be troubled . . ." ( John 14:27 ).

From 'My Utmost for His Highest' by Oswald Chambers

Let us journey on... not troubled, but in perfect peace...

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6:01 AM - Friday, August 26, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Everyday Blessings by Max Lucado...

Posted by Paul Harper

August 26

He forgives your sins-every one.
Psalm 103:3, The Message

It's against God's nature to remember forgiven sins....

He who is perfect love cannot hold grudges. If he does, then he isn't perfect love. And if he isn't perfect love, you might as well put this book down and go fishing, because both of us are chasing fairy tales.

But I believe in his loving forgetfulness. And I believe he has a graciously terrible memory.

Let us journey on... in His perfect love...

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6:01 AM - Friday, August 26, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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The True Value of a Penny...

Posted by Paul Harper

Several years ago, a friend and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. The woman was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.

The first day and evening went well, and my friend was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants.

Knowing she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, she was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of his guests. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.

There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. "How absurd!" she thought. What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?

"Look at it," He said. "Read what it says."

She read the words "United States of America."

"No, not that; read further."

"One cent?"

"No, keep reading."

"In God we Trust?"

"Yes!"

"And?"

"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin.

Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by?

When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!"

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.

Let us journey on... in Trust...

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9:04 AM - Thursday, August 25, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Stepping Stones...

Posted by Paul Harper

The Lord came to me like a dream one day and asked,
"Why do you sorrow?"
I answered, "Lord, my life is so full of pain,
I can't face one more tomorrow."

The Lord sat down beside me,
and gently took my hand.
He said,
"Let me explain to you and then you'll understand.

Each sorrow is a stepping stone
you must surmount each day,
And every stepping stone you climb
is a sorrow that's passed away.

The road of life is a mountainside,
with crevices in which to be caught,
But as you struggle on your way,
I, the Rock, will lend support.

Every stepping stone you climb,
makes spirit and heart grow strong.
Exercising character and faith
this road seems painful and long.

The way is paved with stepping stones,
to uplift your heart and soul,
Though difficult, they aid your way,
to a City paved with gold.

I know that you are tired,
for I too have walked this way,
My sorrows did they multiply,
but I cleared the stones away.

I left my rock to lift you up,
I left behind my story.
To give you strength to make your climb,
to that special place in glory.

And never fear, the Rock is here,
You'll never climb alone
Surmount life's sorrows, continue on,
For they are but stepping stones.

Let us journey on... upward...

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7:36 AM - Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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The Secret...

Posted by Paul Harper

One day, one friend asked another,

"How is it that you are always so happy?

You have so much energy,

and you never seem to get down."

With her eyes smiling, she said,

"I know the Secret!"

"What secret is that?"

To which she replied,

"I'll tell you all about it,

but you have to promise to

share the Secret with others."

"The Secret is this:

I have learned there is little I can do

in my life that will make me truly happy.

I must depend on God to make

me happy and to meet my needs.

When a need arises in my life,

I have to trust God to supply

according to HIS riches.

I have learned most of the time

I don't need half of what I think I do.

He has never let me down.

Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy."

The questioner's first thought was,

"That's too simple!"

But upon reflecting over her own life

she recalled how she thought a bigger house

would make her happy, but it didn't!

She thought a better paying job

would make her happy, but it hadn't.

When did she realize her greatest happiness?

Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren,

playing games, eating pizza or reading a story,

a simple gift from God.

Now you know it too!

We can't depend on people to make us happy.

Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that.

Trust HIM!

And now I pass the Secret on to you!

So once you get it, what will you do?

YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too!

That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU!

But it's not really a secret...

We just have to believe it and do it...

Really trust God!

In everything you do, put GOD first, and he will direct
you and crown your effort with success .

(Proverbs 3:6)

Let us journey on... in sharing...

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6:21 AM - Monday, August 22, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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Last Weekend...

Posted by The Mom

They say pictures can say 1000 words...

Beginning of the night...

Middle of the night....

End of the night...

Houston, we have a problem!

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9:18 AM - 8/20/2005 - comments {1} - post comment

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The Blessing of a Storm...

Posted by Paul Harper

I did not know His love before,
the way I know it now.
I could not see my need for Him,
my pride would not allow.
I had it all, without a care,
the "Self-Sufficient" lie.
My path was smooth, my sea was still,
not a cloud was in my sky.

I thought I knew His love for me,
I thought I'd seen His grace,
I thought I did not need to grow,
I thought I'd found my place.
But then the way grew rough and dark,
the storm clouds quickly rolled;
The waves began to rock my ship,
my anchor would not hold.

The ship that I had built myself
was made of foolish pride.
It fell apart and left me bare,
with nowhere else to hide.
I had no strength or faith to face
the trials that lay ahead,
And so I simply prayed to Him
and bowed my weary head.

His loving arms enveloped me,
and then He helped me stand.
He said, "You still must face this storm,
but I will hold your hand."
So through the dark and lonely night
He guided me through pain.
I could not see the light of day
or when the storm might wane.

Yet through the aches and endless tears,
my faith began to grow.
I could not see it at the time,
but my light began to glow.
I saw God's love in brand new light,
His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone
could Jesus' love shine through.

It was not easy in the storm,
I sometimes wondered, "Why?"
At times I thought, "I can't go on."
I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry.
But Jesus never left my side,
He guided me each day.
Through pain and strife,
through fire and flood,
He helped me all the way.

And now I see as never before
how great His love can be.
How in my weakness He is strong,
how Jesus cares for me!
He worked it all out for my good,
although the way was rough.
He only sent what I could bear,
and then He cried, "Enough!"

He raised His hand and said, "Be still!"
He made the storm clouds cease.
He opened up the gates of joy
and flooded me with peace.
I see His face now clearer still,
I felt His presence strong.
I found anew His faithfulness,
He never did me wrong.

Now I know more storms will come,
but only for my good,
For pain and tears have helped me grow
As naught else ever could.
I still have so much more to learn
as Jesus works in me;
If in the storm I'll love Him more,
that's where I want to be.

Written by:
Wendy Greiner Lefko
©1996

Let us journey on...

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5:23 AM - Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

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My crazy life as a single mom with two small children. It is the perfect mix of mommy and smartass!

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