Stories
and Inspirational Messages:
The Friendship
Ball
A ball is a circle, No beginning, no end. It keeps us together like our Circle
of Friends.
But the treasure inside for you to see, is the treasure of friendship you've
granted to me.
Today I pass the friendship ball on to you. Pass it on to someone who is a
friend including the person who sent it to you.
When you are sad...I will dry your tears. When you are scared...I will comfort
your fears.
When you are worried...I will give you hope.
When you are confused...I will help you cope.
And when you are lost...And can't see the light. I shall be your beacon...
Shining ever so bright This is my oath...I pledge till the end.
Why you may ask...Because you're my friend. (TOP)
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Four People
Once there were four people
named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.
There was some important work that had to be done, and Everybody was sure that
Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry because of
this, since it was Everybody's job.
Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody understood that Everybody
wouldn't do it, so it finally ended up with Everybody blaming Somebody as Nobody
did what Anybody could have done!
(TOP)
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Daddy's Day:
- by Cheryl
Costello-Forshey
Her hair up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go
But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone
But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say
What to tell her classmates,
on this Daddy's Day
But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home
But the little girl went to school,
eager to tell them all
About a dad she never sees,
a dad who never calls
There were daddies along the wall in back,
for everyone to meet
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats
One by one the teacher called,
a student from the class
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed
At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare
Each of them were searching,
for a man who wasn't there
"Where's her daddy at?"
she heard a boy call out
"She probably doesn't have one,"
another student dared to shout
And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day."
The words did not offend her,
as she smiled at her friends
And looked back at her teacher,
who told her to begin
And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique
"My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away
But I know he wishes he could
be with me on this day
And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so
He loved to tell me stories,
he taught me to ride my bike
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite
We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone
And though you cannot see him,
I'm not standing all alone
'Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be here in my heart"
With that her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress
And from somewhere in the crowd of dads,
her mother stood in tears
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years
For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was right
And when she dropped her hand back down,
staring straight into the crowd
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud
"I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star,
And if he could he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far,
But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day
And to her mother's amazement,
she witnessed with surprise
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes
Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me Daddy,"
to the silence she called out
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt
Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed
But there placed on her desktop,
was a beautiful fragrant pink rose
And a child was blessed, if only a moment, by the
love of her shining bright star
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far (Author -
Cheryl Costello-Forshey-
2000)
(TOP)
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THE NUMBERING OF OUR DAYS by Bible
teacher, David Ravenhill
" In God We trust"
O how I wish those words
Were really true.
We trust far more in
Who WE ARE
The Red, The White, The Blue.
In times of National crisis
We turn to God and say,
"We need you God, at least for now" Then later cease to pray.
Our churches fill with people
During these times of need.
We want to hear consoling words For hearts that break and bleed.
But we have yet to really bow
And humbly seek His face,
Confessing pride and selfishness Before His throne of grace.
And so until we really change
And leave our wicked ways.
We're doomed to watch in horror The numbering of our days.
Shalom, Barbara www.foryourglory.org
(TOP)
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Tiny Souls Prayers:
God just loves hearing from them!
Dear GOD,Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don't
you just keep the ones you have? --Amy
Dear GOD. Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had
their own rooms. It works with my brother. --Larry
Dear GOD. If you watch me in Church Sunday, I'll show You my new shoes. --Mickey
Dear GOD, I bet it is very hard for You to love all of everybody in the whole
world. There are only 4 people in our family and I can never do it. --Nan
Dear GOD, In school they told us what You do. Who does it when You are on
vacation? --Jane
Dear GOD, I read the Bible. What does "begat" mean? Nobody will tell me. Love
Alison
Dear GOD, Are You really invisible or is it just a trick? --Lucy
Dear GOD, Is it true my father won't get in Heaven if he uses his bowling words
in the house? --Anita
Dear GOD, Did You mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?
--Norma
Dear GOD, Who draws the lines around the countries? --Jan
Dear GOD, I went to this wedding and they kissed right in Church. Is that okay?
--Neal
Dear GOD, What does it mean, You are a Jealous GOD? I thought You had
everything. -- Jane
Dear GOD, Did You really mean "do unto others as they do unto you"? because if
You did, then I'm going to fix my brother. --Darla
Dear GOD, Thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.
--Joyce
Dear GOD, It rained for our whole vacation and is my father mad! He said some
things about You that people are not supposed to say, but I hope you will not
hurt him anyway. Your friend, (But I am not going to tell You who I am.)
Dear GOD, Why is Sunday school on Sunday? I thought it was supposed to be our
day of rest. --Tom L.
Dear GOD, Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before. You can look
it up. --Bruce
Dear GOD, If we come back as something--Please don't let me be Jennifer Horton,
because I hate her. --Denise.
Dear GOD, If You give me a genie like Aladdin, I will give You anything You
want, except my money or my chess set. --Raphael
Dear GOD, My brother is a rat !! You should give him a tail. Ha! Ha! --Danny
Dear GOD, I want to be just like my Daddy when I get big but not with so much
hair all over. --Tom
Dear GOD, You don't have to worry about me. I always look both ways. --Dean
Dear GOD, I think the stapler is one of your greatest inventions. --Ruth M.
Dear GOD, I think about You sometimes even when I'm not praying. --Elliott
Dear GOD, Of all the people who work for You I like Noah and David the best.
--Rob
Dear GOD, My brother told me about being born but it doesn't sound right. He's
just kidding, isn't he? --Marsha
Dear GOD, I would like to live 900 years like the guy in the Bible. -- Love
Chris
Dear GOD, We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday school they said You
did it. So I bet he stole your idea. --Sincerely, Donna
Dear GOD, The bad people laughed at Noah- "You made an ark on dry land you
fool." But he was smart, he stuck with You. That's what I would do. --Eddie
Dear GOD, I do not think anybody could be a better GOD. Well I just want You to
know but I am not just saying that because You are GOD already. --Charles.
Dear GOD, I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset You made
on Tuesday. That was cool. --Eugene
-- Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall
(TOP)
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Digging a Hole
Two brothers once decided to dig a deep hole behind their house. As they were
working, a couple of other boys stopped by to watch.
"What are you doing?" asked one of the visitors. "We're going to dig a hole all
the way through the earth!", one of the brothers volunteered excitedly.
The other boys began to laugh, telling the brothers that digging a hole all the
way through the earth was impossible. After a long silence, one of the diggers
picked up a jar full of spiders and worms and insects and interesting stones. He
removed the lid and showed the wonderful contents to the scoffing visitors. Then
he said confidently, "Even if we don't dig all the way through the earth, look
what we found along the way!"
Their goal was far too ambitious, but it did cause them to dig. And that is what
a goal is for - to cause us to move in the direction we have chosen, in other
words, to set us to digging!
But not every goal will be fully achieved. Not every job will end successfully.
Not every relationship will endure. Not every hope will come to pass. Not every
love will last. Not every endeavor will be completed. Not every dream will be
realized. But when you fall short of your aim, perhaps you can say, "Yes, but
look at what I found along the way! Look at the wonderful things which have come
into my life because I tried to do something!"
It is in the digging that life is lived. And it is the joy in the journey, in
the end, that truly matters! - Author Unknown
(TOP)
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Heaven? or Hell?
A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery,
when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that
the dog had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road.
It looked like fine marble.
At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the
sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch
that looked like mother of pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked
like pure gold.
He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a
desk to one side. When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are
we?"
"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked. "Of course, sir. Come
right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The man gestured, and
the gate began to open.
"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the
way he had been going. After another long walk, and at the top of another long
hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it
had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a
man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.
"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?" "Yeah, sure,
there's a pump over there" The man pointed to a place that couldn't be seen from
outside the gate. "Come on in."
"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog. "There should be a
bowl by the pump."
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old fashioned hand
pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the bowl and took a long drink
himself, then he gave some to the dog.
When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing
by the tree waiting for them.
"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked. "This is Heaven," was the
answer.
"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that
was Heaven, too." "Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly
gates? Nope. That's Hell."
"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?" "No. I can see
how you might think so, but we're just happy that they screen out the folks
who'll leave their best friends behind."
Sometimes, we wonder why friends keep forwarding jokes to us without writing a
word, maybe this could explain: "When you are very busy, but still want to keep
in touch, guess what you do -- you forward jokes. When you have nothing to say,
but still want to keep contact, you forward jokes. When you have something to
say, but don't know what, and don't know how, you forward jokes."
And to let you know that: you are still remembered, you are still important, you
are still loved, you are still cared for, guess what you get? A forwarded joke
from me. So my friend, next time if you get a joke, don't think that I have sent
you just a joke, but that I have thought of you today and wanted to send you a
smile.
(TOP)
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Touch Me . . .
If I am your child . . . Please touch me.
Persist; find ways to meet my needs.
Your goodnight hug helps sweeten my dreams.
Your daytime touching tells me how you really feel.
If I am your teenager . . . Please touch me.
Don't think because I'm almost grown,
I don't need to know that you still care.
I need your loving arms; I need a tender voice.
If I am your friend . . . Please touch me.
Nothing lets me know you care like a warm embrace.
A healing touch when I'm depressed assures me I am loved,
And reassures me that I'm not alone.
Yours may be the only comforting touch I get.
If I am your life's partner . . . Please touch me.
You may think that your passion is enough,
But only your arms hold back my fears.
I need your tender reassuring touch, To remind me
I am loved just because I am me.
If I am your grown-up child . . . Please touch me.
Though I may have a family my own to hold,
I still need Mommy's and Daddy's arms when I hurt.
As a parent the view is different; I appreciate you more.
If I am your aging parent . . . Please touch me.
Hold my hand, sit close to me, give me strength;
And warm my tired body with your nearness.
Although my skin is worn and wrinkled, It loves to be stroked
. . . Don't be afraid.
--Author Unknown
(TOP)
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I Asked For:
I asked for strength
and God gave me difficulties to make me strong
I asked for wisdom
and God gave me problems to solve
I asked for prosperity
and God gave me brawn and brain to work
I asked for courage
and God gave me dangers to overcome
I asked for patience
and God placed me in situations
where I was forced to wait
I asked for love
and God gave me troubled people to help
I asked for favors
and God gave me opportunities
I asked for love
and God gave me you
I received nothing I wanted
I received everything I needed
MY PRAYER HAS BEEN ANSWERED.
-Author Unknown
(TOP)
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FUN REFLECTIONS ON LIFE!
1. Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected.
2. I'm not into working out. My philosophy is no pain, no pain.
3. I'm in shape. Round is a shape.
4. I'm desperately trying to figure out why Kamikaze pilots wore helmets.
5. Do you think illiterate people get the full affect of alphabet soup?
6. I've always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific.
7. Ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you, but when you
take him in a car he sticks his head out the window?
8. Ever notice that anyone going slower than you is an idiot, but anyone going
faster than you is a maniac?
9. You have to stay in shape. My mother started walking five miles a day when
she was 60. She's 97 now and we have no idea where she is.
10. I have six locks on my door, all in a row. When I go out, I lock every other
one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they
are always locking three of them.
11. One out of every three Americans is suffering from some form of mental
illness. Think of two of your best friends. If they are OK, then it must be you.
12. They show you how detergent takes out bloodstains. I think if you've got a
tee shirt with bloodstains all over it, maybe your laundry isn't your biggest
problem.
13. Ask people why they have deer heads on their walls and they tell you it's
because they're such beautiful animals. I think my wife is beautiful, but I only
have photographs of her on the walls.
14. A lady came up to me on the street, pointed at my suede jacket and said,
"Don't you know a cow was murdered for that jacket?" I said, "I didn't know
there were any witnesses. Now I'll have to kill you too."
15. Future historians will be able to study at the Jimmy Carter Library, the
Gerald Ford Library, the Ronald Reagan Library, and the Bill Clinton Adult
Bookstore.
(TOP)
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Mirror:
Age 8:
Looks at herself and sees herself as Cinderella/Sleeping Beauty.
Age 15:
Looks at herself and sees herself as Cinderella or if she's on PMS: sees ugly.
Age 20:
Looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too
straight/too curly" - but decides she's going anyway.
Age 30:
Looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too
straight/too curly" but decides she doesn't have time to fix it, so she goes
anyway.
Age 40:
Looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too
straight/too curly" - but says: "At least I'm clean" and goes anyway.
Age 50:
Looks at herself and sees "I am" and goes where ever she wants to.
Age 60:
Looks at herself and reminds herself of all the people who can't even see
themselves in the mirror anymore. Goes out and conquers the world.
Age 70:
Looks at herself and sees wisdom, laughter and ability, goes out and enjoys
life.
Age 80:
Doesn't bother to look. Just puts on a purple hat and goes out to have fun with
the world.
(TOP)
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The Truth About -
MOTHERS!
Copyright 2001 Sheila Moss
Mother's way is best. If you don't believe it, ask her.
Mothers only offer advice on two occasions: when you want it and when you don't.
If you think you have any secrets from your mother, remember who changed your
diapers.
Never lie to your mother. And if you do, never think you got away with it.
Any time you are unable to solve a problem, ask your mother. She probably won't
know either, but she will fake it.
A mother's love is a better cure than chicken soup, but chicken soup is cheaper.
Your mother is the only person that knows more about you than you remember about
yourself.
The motherly advice you ignore will always turn out to be the best advice she
ever gave you.
If you can't remember whether or not you called your mother, you didn't.
The older you are, the more you feel like a child around your mother.
No matter how wrong you are, your mother will not hold it against you. She may
remind you every time she sees you, but she will not hold it against you.
The more times your mother reminds you to take an umbrella, the greater the
probability of rain.
Never tell your mother you have nothing to do. She can always find something.
The longer it's been since you cleaned house, the more likely it is that mother
will visit.
You can't "out-mother" your mother. Don't even try!
Copyright 2001
Sheila Moss (Used with Permission)
Check out her
wonderful website and other humor at:
http://www.humorcolumnist.com
(TOP)
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"DAD SAID..."
How Many of These Did YOUR Dad (or You!) Say?
"You'll sit there until you eat everything on your plate."
"Don't worry. It's only blood."
"No, you listen to ME, Buster!"
"I'll play after I read the paper, calm down."
"Don't ask me, ask your mother."
"Close the door, were you born in a barn?"
"You didn't beat me. I let you win."
"Quit acting like a baby!"
"Do you think I'm made of money?"
"Don't give me any of your lip, young lady."
"You call that noise 'music'?"
"We're not lost, I'm just not sure where we are."
"No, you can't have coffee, it'll stunt your growth."
"A little dirt never hurt anyone, just wipe it off."
"Get your elbows off the table."
"I told you, keep your eye on the ball!"
"Who said life was supposed to be fair?"
"You call that a haircut?"
"This will hurt me a lot more than it hurts you."
"'Hey' is for horses!"
"If your friends jumped off a bridge would you do it too?"
"This is the last time I'm telling you!"
"You can marry a rich guy just as easily as you can a poor guy."
"You know you're always gonna be Daddy's little girl!"
"No, we're not there yet."
"Shake it off. It's only pain."
"When I was your age, I treated MY father with respect."
"Pardon my French."
"As long as you live under my roof, you live by my rules."
"Because I said so, that's why."
"Do what I say, not what I do."
"So you think you're smart, do you?"
"Wipe that smile off your face."
"C'mon, you throw like a girl."
"You want something to do? I'll give you something to do."
"I'm not sleeping, I was watching that channel."
"What do you think I am, a bank?"
"What keeps those jeans of yours from falling off?"
"I'm not just talking to hear my own voice!"
"This is your last warning!"
"What part of NO don't you understand?"
"I don't care what other people are doing, I'm not everybody else's father!"
"You look like a bag lady!"
"You're not leaving my house dressed like that!"
"I'm not watching television. I'm resting my eyes."
"Am I talking to a brick wall?"
"What do you think money grows on trees?"
"Don't use that tone with me!"
"Act your age."
"Enough is enough!"
"What did I just get finished telling you?"
"Don't make me stop the car!"
(TOP)
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What I Have
Learned as I Matured...
I've learned that you cannot make
someone love you. All you can do is
stalk them and hope they panic and give in.
I've learned that no matter how much I care,
some people are just jerks.
I've learned that it takes years
to build up trust, and it only takes
suspicion, not proof, to destroy it.
I've learned that you shouldn't
compare yourself to others - they are
more messed up than you think.
I've learned that you can keep puking
long after you think you're finished.
I've learned that we are responsible
for what we do, unless we are celebrities.
I've learned that you can get by
on charm for about fifteen minutes.
After that, you'd better have a big weenie or huge boobs.
I've learned that regardless of
how hot and steamy a relationship is
at first, the passion fades, and there
had better be a lot of money to take its place.
I've learned that the people you care most
about in life are taken from you too soon
and all the less important ones just never go away.
(TOP)
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Regarding Job Layoffs In America:
Joe Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock (MADE
IN JAPAN) for 6 a.m. While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA) was perking, he shaved
with his electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG). He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN
SRI LANKA), designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE) and tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA).
After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA) he sat
down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO) to see how much he could spend today.
After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN) to the radio (MADE IN INDIA) he got in
his car (MADE IN GERMANY) and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN
JOB.
At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day, Joe decided to relax
for a while. He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL) poured himself a glass of
wine (MADE IN FRANCE) and turned on his TV (MADE IN INDONESIA), and then
wondered why he can't find a good paying job in .....AMERICA.....
(TOP)
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Your Very Own Bank:
Imagine there is a bank which credits your account each morning
with $86,400, carries over no balance from day to day, allows you to keep no
cash balance, and every evening cancels whatever part of the amount you had
failed to use during the day.
What would you do?
Draw out every cent, of course!
Everyone has such a bank. Its name is TIME.
Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds.
Every night, it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest
to good purpose.
It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft.
Each day, it opens a new account for you.
Each night, it burns the records of the day.
If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going
back. There is no drawing against the "tomorrow".
You must live in the present on today's deposits.
Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success!
The clock is running. Make the most of today..
To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who has failed his exam...
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who has given birth to a
pre-mature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE DAY, ask a daily wage laborer who has ten kids to
feed.
To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who has missed the train.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who has survived an accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLI-SECOND, ask the person who has won a silver
medal in Olympics.
Treasure every moment that you have!
And treasure it more because you have shared it with someone special...special
enough to have your time.
Remember, time waits for no one...
~Author Unknown~
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Seven Wonders Of The World:
A group of students were asked to list
what
they thought were the present Seven Wonders
of the World. Though there was some
disagreement, the following got the most votes:
While gathering the votes, the teacher
noted that one
quiet student hadn't turned in her paper yet.
So she asked the girl if she was having trouble
with her list. The girl replied, "Yes, a little.
I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were
so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you
have, and maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated,
then read, "I think the Seven
Wonders of the World are:
The room was so full of silence you could
have heard a pin drop.
Those things we overlook as simple and "ordinary"
are truly wondrous. A gentle reminder that the
most precious things in life cannot be bought.
(TOP)
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The House:
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his
employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a
more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss
the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build
just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it
was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy
workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a
dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work the employer came to inspect the house. He
handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my
gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building
his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than
our best into the building. Then with a shock we realize we have to live in the
house we have built. If we could do it over, we'd do it much differently.
But we cannot go back. You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place
a board, or erect a wall. "Life is a do-it- yourself project," someone has said.
Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the "house" you live in
tomorrow.
Build wisely!
Remember...
Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody is watching.
(TOP)
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Strong Women VS. Women Of Strength
A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape...
but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape...
A strong woman isn't afraid of anything...
but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear...
A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her...
but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone...
A strong woman walks sure footedly..
but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls....
A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face...
but a woman of strength wears grace...
A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey..
but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become
strong!
- author unknown
(TOP)
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Lessons from the Real World! & Advice
to Live By
Living well really IS the best revenge.
Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
You only need two tools: WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should,
use WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape.
When baking, follow directions carefully. When cooking on top of the stove, go
by your own taste.
Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you respond to it.
The two most essential phrases for a happy relationship are: "I apologize" and
"You are right."
Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you decided to see
beyond the imperfections and be happy anyway.
When you make a mistake, make amends immediately. It's easier to eat crow while
it's still warm.
If you woke up breathing, be thankful! You have another chance!
Being miserable because of a former relationship just proves that the other
person was right about you.
Real friends are those who, when you make a fool of yourself, don't feel you've
done a permanent job.
If he or she says that you are too good for them - believe it.
You don't have to attend every argument you're invited to.
You should lead your life so you wouldn't be ashamed to sell your parrot to the
town gossip.
Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all
yourself.
And last but not least... Never pass up an opportunity to pee!
Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
Memorize your favorite poem.
Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have, or sleep all you want.
When you say, "I love you," mean it.
When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
Be engaged at least six months before you get married and get your parents
approval.
Believe in love at first sight.
Never laugh at anyone's dreams.
Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt, but it's the only way to
live life completely.
In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
Don't judge people by their relatives.
Talk slow but think quick.
When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask,
"Why do you want to know?"
Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
Call your Mom.
Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others;
Responsibility for all your actions.
Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
Marry someone you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational
skills will be as important as any other skill.
Spend time alone.
Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Read more books and watch less TV.
Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll
get to enjoy it a second time.
Trust in God, but lock your car.
A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a
tranquil harmonious home.
In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation; don't
bring up the past.
Read between the lines, but do it with carefulness and compassion.
Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
Be gentle with the earth.
Pray -- there's immeasurable power in it.
Never interrupt when you are being flattered.
Mind your own business.
Don't trust someone who doesn't close their eyes when you kiss them.
Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are
living. That's wealth's greatest satisfaction.
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
Learn the rules then break some.
Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is
greater than your need for each other
Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
Remember that your character is your destiny.
Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
Realize that as you get older, you are not approaching death, but heaven.
(TOP)
(Back to Stories Index)
Unconventional Exercise - Is
this you?
A great one to start with is - "Beating around the bush."
A favorite is - "Jumping to conclusions."
Used by a lot of people, - "Climbing the walls."
This one is very popular, - "Passing the buck."
People seem to really enjoy this one, - "Throwing one's weight around."
Also popular, - "Dragging your heels."
Another favorite, - "Pushing your luck."
This one has been popular the last few years, - "Making mountains out of
molehills."
We especially like this one, - "Hitting the nail on the head."
We're not fond of this, - but a lot of people are doing it... "Wading through
paperwork."
If you're really flexible, there's - "Bending over backwards."
Conformists like this one, - "Jumping on the bandwagon ."
Some people like - "Balancing the books."
People find this one easy to do, - "Running around in circles."
Very popular, - "Tooting one's own horn."
If you have self confidence, you might try - "Climbing the ladder of success."
And you might also want to try - "Pulling out the stops."
This one is excellent for beginners, - "Starting the ball rolling."
We recommend you don't try this one though, - "Going over the edge."
And for a limited time only, - you'll also receive the special Diet Plan, which
includes diet tips such as:
Swallowing your pride, - Eating crow, Opening a can of worms, and Putting
your foot in your mouth!
(TOP)
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CHECKING IN
A priest passing through his church
in the middle of the day.
Decided to pause by the altar
and see who had come to pray.
Just then the back door opened,
a man came down the aisle,
The priest frowned as he saw
the man hadn't shaved in a while.
His
shirt was kinda shabby
and his coat was worn and frayed,
the man knelt, he bowed his head,
then rose and walked away.
In the days that followed,
each noon time came this chap,
each time he knelt just for a moment,
a lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the priest's suspicions grew,
with robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
"What are you doing here?"
The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
for finding strength and power.
"I stay only moments, see,
because the factory is so far away;
as I kneel here talking to the Lord,
this is kinda what I say:
"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I
THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY."
The priest feeling foolish,
told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
to come and pray just anytime.
Time to go, Jim smiled, said
"Thanks." He hurried to the door.
The priest knelt at the altar,
he'd never done it before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
and met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
he repeated old Jim's prayer:
"I JUST
CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I
THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY."
Past noon one day, the priest noticed
that old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
he began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him,
learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
but he'd given them a thrill.
The week
that Jim was with them,
brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand
when no flowers, calls or cards came,
not a visitor he had.
The priest stayed by his bed,
he voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up
and with a winsome smile;
"the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that in here all the while
everyday at noon He's here,
a dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand,
leans over and says to me:
"I JUST
CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,
AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY,
AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS, CHECKING IN TODAY."
(TOP)
(Back to Stories Index)
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