Friday, December 21, 2012

Christmas Quotes

A silent night, a star above, a blessed gift of hope and love. Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the home, the gentle flame of charity in the heart.

I am sure that I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round...as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely. ~ Charles Dickens

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. - Roy L. Smith

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world - stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death - and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas. ~Henry Van Dyke

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. - Burton Hillis

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.

Somehow, not only for Christmas but all the long year through, The joy that you give to others Is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing the poor and lonely and sad, the more of your heart's possessing returns to you glad. ~ John Greenleaf Whittier

I heard the bells on Christmas Day; their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the word repeat of peace on earth, good-will to men! ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. - Janice Maeditere

Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind. - Mary Ellen Chase

Remember This December, That love weighs more than gold! - Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

Peace on earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas every day. - Helen Steiner Rice

Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas. ~ Dale Evans Rogers

This Christmas, remember, the joy that you give to others, is the joy that comes back to you. So be joyful and make others joyful too! Merry Christmas!

Source: Internet

The Legend Of The Holly

The news of Christ's birth soon spread throughout the land. King Herod had heard of the glorious event and, feeling threatened by this new King of Kings, had sent his soldiers in pursuit of Him. Joseph gathered together his little family and fled from Bethlehem.

As they were traveling down an old dirt road, Mary heard the sound of the soldiers behind them. Knowing that they would be searching for a man and woman with a baby, she decided to hide her child until the soldiers had passed.

Looking quickly around, Mary felt her heart sink within her. There was nothing nearby but a bare little holly bush. Every second, the hooves of the soldier's horses thundered nearer and nearer. In desperation, she placed her precious child beneath the bush and prayed.

But then, a wondrous thing happened. The scraggly little plant burst forth with a crown of glistening, thorny leaves. The spikey leaved bush formed a roof over the baby, hiding him completely. When the soldiers rode by, they saw only the couple who appeared to be childless and continued on their way, leaving the Christ Child in safety and peace.

It was then that the Babe blessed the holly so that it would always remain green ... a symbol of hope and immortality to all. And the berries the holly bore would always be blood red. For of all the plants that grow, the holly alone, for one brief moment, had held the Christ Child in its heart.

Source: Internet

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

A Christmas Story

I had no Christmas spirit when I breathed a weary sigh,
and looked across the table where the bills were piled too high.
The laundry wasn't finished and the dinner I had to fix,
The dishwasher wouldn't work, and now it's all in bits

And so with only minutes till my son got home from school,
I gave up on the drudgery and grabbed a wooden stool.
The burdens that I carried were about all I could take,
and so I flipped the TV on to catch a little break.

I came upon a desert scene in shades of tan and rust,
No snowflakes hung upon the wind, just clouds of swirling dust.
And where the reindeer should have stood before a laden sleigh,
eight hummers ran a column right behind an M1A.
A group of boys walked past the tank, not one was past his teens,
Their eyes were hard as polished flint, their faces drawn and lean.

They walked the street in armor with their rifles shouldered tight,
their dearest wish for Christmas, just to have a silent night.
Other soldiers gathered, hunkered down against the wind,
To share a scrap of mail and dreams of going home again.
There wasn't much at all to put their lonely hearts at ease,
They had no Christmas turkey, just a pack of MRE's.
They didn't have a garland or a stocking I could see,
They didn't need an ornament-- they lacked a Christmas Tree.
They didn't have a present even though it was tradition,
the only boxes I could see were labeled "ammunition".

I felt a little tug and found my son now by my side,
He asked me what it was I feared, and why it was I cried.
I swept him up into my arms and held him oh so near
and kissed him on the forehead as I whispered in his ear.

There's nothing wrong, my little son, for safe we sleep tonight.
Our heroes stand on foreign land to give us all the right,
to worry about the things in life that really mean nothing at all,
instead of wondering each day if we will be the next to fall.
He looked at me as children do and said it's always right,
to thank the ones who help us and perhaps that we should write.
And so we pushed aside the bills and sat to draft a note,
to thank the many far from home, and this is what we wrote,

"God bless you all and keep you safe, and speed your way back home.
Remember that we love you so, and that you're not alone.
The gift you give, you share with all, a present every day,
You give the gift of liberty and that we can't repay.

Author unknown

Source: Internet

Congress

Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert. Congress said "Someone may steal from it at night."

So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job.

Then Congress said, "How does the watchman do his job without instruction?"

So they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write the instructions, and one person to do time studies.

Then Congress said, "How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?"

So they created a Quality Control department and hired two people. One to do the studies and one to write the reports.

Then Congress said, "How are these people going to get paid?"

So they created the following positions, a timekeeper, and a payroll officer, then hired two people.

Then Congress said, "Who will be accountable for all of these people?"

So they created an administrative section and hired three people, an Administrative Officer, Assistant Administrative Officer, and a Legal Secretary.

Then Congress said, "We have had this command in operation for one year and we are $780,000 over budget, we must cutback overall cost."

So they laid off the night watchman...

Source: Internet

It's All About Gift's

It isn't the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives it.

Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.

To perceive Christmas through its wrappings becomes more difficult with every year.

Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.

The Christmas season has come to mean the period when the public plays Santa Claus to the merchants.

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

Nothing's as mean as giving a little child something useful for Christmas.

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present.

God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame.

The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.

Christmas is the season when you buy this year's gifts with next year's money.

A hug is a great gift - one size fits all, and it's easy to exchange.

The Lord loveth a cheerful giver. He also accepteth from a grouch.

Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

Source: Internet

Monday, December 17, 2012

Today's Quote

The way to happiness: keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Fill your life with love. Scatter sunshine. Forget self, think of others. Do as you would be done by. Try this for a week and you will be surprised.

Norman Vincent Peale

Christmas Gift Suggestions

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend. your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect.

Author Unknown

Source: Internet

Monday, December 10, 2012

A Wish Sincere

To those we love
And see each day
And other loved ones
Far away

To all good friends
Who mean so much
And those with whom
We're out of touch

To folks who are
So good and kind
It's so easy
To keep them in mind

To people we keep
Close at heart
Even when
We are apart

We send to you
This wish sincere
For a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year!

Author Unknown

Source: Internet

Sunday, December 9, 2012

We All Must

We all must sail this Sea Of Life,
To some Eternal Port.
For some the voyage may be long..
For some it may be short.
He only safely sails the sea,
And stems the drifting tide,
Who makes the Word Of God his chart,
The Son Of God his guide.

And God Said "No"

I asked God to take away my grief, And God said "No.......It is not for Me to take away, But for you to work through."

I asked God to make my broken heart whole, And God said "No........Your Spirit is whole, Your pain is only temporary."

I asked God to grant me patience, and God said "No........Patience is a by-product of tribulation, It isn't granted, it's earned."

I asked God to give me happiness, And God said "No........I give blessings, Happiness is up to you."

I asked God to spare me pain, And God said "No........Suffering draws you apart from the worldly cares, And brings you closer to me."

I asked God to make my Spirit grow, And God said "No........Grow on your own, I do the pruning that makes you fruitful."

I ask God if he loved me, And God said "Yes........I gave My only Son to die for you."

I asked God to help me love others, As much as He loves me. He said "Ah, finally, you have the idea."

By Derric Johnson

Convention Gems 2004

God often says "wait" but he never says "worry".

In desperation, Hannah took her whole problem to the Lord in prayer. When Hannah went back home, things had not changed, but God had changed Hannah & helped her to accept things.

Men thought that they were leading Jesus to the cross, etc. but it was the Holy Spirit leading him.

Salvation is the step of a moment, but the work of a lifetime.

A good conscience troubles us when we do wrong, a pure conscience warns us before we do wrong, but a seared conscience doesn't bother us at all.

A seed needs warmth to grow, and this is what prayer will do for us.

Our heart has wants, but our Soul has needs.

We can feed the flock of God by being available, and being ready.

Unfruitfulness is not the fault of the seed, but it is the fault of the soil.

Sometimes it is not only inappropriate to sleep,it is also dangerous.

We can't give to another what we haven't got ourselves.

Most of our suffering is self-inflected.

Try Smiling

When the weather suits you not,
Try smiling;
When your coffee isn't hot,
Try smiling;
When your neighbors don't do right,
Or your relatives all fight,
Sure 'tis hard--but then you might
Try Smiling.

Doesn't change the things, of course--
Just smiling;
But it cannot make them worse,
Just Smiling;
And it seems to help your case,
Brightens up a gloomy place,
Then, it sort of rests your face--
Just smiling.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Hard On an Honest Man

I remember way back in forty three,
I came into the Army a soldier true to be.
I left my wife and baby and home,
To help do my part and not to roam.
I toiled sweated and took it all,
I answered faithfully my Country's call.
I served to keep this a free land,
And now that the wars over I can't go home.
I'm fighting another battle, my feet would ere roam,
Selective service stopped drafting fathers, A good choice.
But I've been in 27 months, and I would like to hear my baby's voice,
Perhaps some are different and think this a lot of bull,
But these are my thoughts, And I have a belly full.
I need to be at home with my wife and baby and I don't mean maybe,
Over two years in the service all in the time of war.
The question is, What is this delay for?
I'm sure of the love of the family, they anxiously await my return too,
All this chicken I have to take, makes my morale burn low.
I once sang a song, I'll be back in a year,
But now singing this song, I can't wait I fear.
Catching plenty details the worst I say is Guard Duty,
They say keep punching, I know it's very hard.

CPL. Joe (Muddy) Waters


My Get Up And Go

My Get Up And Go Got Up And Went

How do I know that my youth is all spent,
Well my get up and go has got up and went,
But in spite of it all I'm able to grin
When I think where my get up has been.

Old age is golden, so I've heard it said,
But sometimes I wonder as I get into bed,
With my ears in a drawer, and my teeth in a cup,
My eyes on the mantle, until I wake up.

Ere sleep dims my eyes I say to myself,
Is there anything else I should have laid on the shelf,
I'm happy to say as I close the door
My friends are the same - only perhaps even more.

When I was young, my slippers were red,
I could kick up my heels right over my head,
When I grew older my slippers were blue,
But I could still dance the whole night through.

Now I am old and my slippers are black,
I walk to the store and puff my way back,
The reason I know that my youth is all spent,
My get up and go has got up and went.

But I really don't mind, when I think with a grin,
Of all the grand places my get up has been,
Since I've retired from life's competition,
I busy myself with complete repititions.

I get up each morning and dust off my wits,
Pick up the paper and read the "obits"
If my name is missing, I know I'm not dead,
So I eat a good breakfast, and go back to bed.







Ida Hawkins In Georgia

Ida Hawkins and Annie McLaughlin got off the train at Elberton, Georgia, the Fall of 1912. They walked to Mt. Airy where they got a building for meetings. Those who professed were Jud McConnell, Ernest Harper, Viola Elford, Mr. & Mrs. Dawkins, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Ramey, Mr. & Mrs. Charley Trotter, Mr. & Mrs. John Allen, and others.

A Sunday morning Meeting was started in the Dawson home.

They came to the Camp Creek Community and secured the Baptist Church building for meetings. When the pastor returned they were put out, but then they used a rental house that belonged to Mr. Ferguson. The Ferguson's, Loudermilks, Caudells, Mr. & Mrs, Nunnally, and others professed, and a Sunday morning Meeting was started in the Ferguson home. About 40 were baptized.

The Fall of 1913, Ida and Dora Thomas went to Winterville and had a mission in the Beaverdam Community. The ones that professed were the Gabriels, Hancocks, Brambletts, James, Mrs. Myers, Miss Alice Martin & brother Charlie, Mrs. Hale, Mrs. Melton (4 sisters and 1 brother), and some others. The Sunday morning Meeting was started in the Hancock's home.

In the Spring of 1914, Ida and Annie came to Demorest and tried for the Baptist building for meetings and were refused. Jim Ramey had moved from Mt. Airy near his brother Marion in White County who professedand had just moved to the Demorest area.

The girls had a six week mission in the Ramey home. Those who professed were May and Fred Ramey, Annie Tench, the Stameys, and Bell Brock. Wilsons professed later.
Katie professed in a five day Special Meeting in 1915.

Sunset

The sunset of life is approaching
The sky is a deepening blue
Clouds have appeared on the horizon
To create a more beautiful view.

Thou knowest the way that I am going,
Thy presence dispels every fear
Thy thoughts toward us are "goodness"
Thou driest our every tear.

Just grant me the faith to surrender
To thy perfect eternal plan
Whatever the storm or the sunshine
Keep my hand clasped firm in Your hand.

There have been times of failure
Some times of defeat and of fear
But always the word was spoken
Arise, my child, and draw near.

Directions so kindly given
When heeded will lead us aright
We can know His loving presence
And shed on our path His light.

Thou knowest the way Thou art leading
Though all to me is not clear
Thou triest the hearts of Thy children
To purify the precious gold there.

It seems but yesterday "the Sunrise"
God;s call to a young tender heart
Courage given to be up and obeying
To faithfully do our part.

Soon the last step will be taken
Our influence left behind
God grant it may be the sweet savour
Of a life guided by Christ's Mind.

Our sunset is another's sunrise
With approaching years to serve
To taste the peace, joy and gladness
That comes with a service of love.

Faith, love and hope now abideth
Faith, 'til we reach that shore
Hope for the Resurrection
Love, to serve evermore.

By: Jean Grainger


It Is Not Enough...,

There Are Things We Do That Are Not Enough...We Must Go On To Victory

It is not enough that we fight a battle, we must defeat an enemy.

It is not enough that we run the race,we must run so that we obtain the prize.

It is not enough that we have the lamp of profession, we must have the oil of Possession.

It is not enough that we build a house, we must build it on the Rock.

It is not enough that we utter prayers by our lips, we must speak to God from our heart.

It is not enough that we are a candle, we must be on the candlestick fill our little place in the meeting.

It is not enough to be the salt of the earth, we must be the salt that has savor.

It is not enough to go the first mile fulfilling a duty order to be the children of our father in Heaven, we must make demands upon ourselves, put restraints upon ourselves, give beyond what we think is impossible to give.

Our Service must be prompted by love. Ask ourselves honest questions and demand honest answers. We must go beyond, go a little further, dig a little deeper, and climb a little higher.

Those We Love

There's one sad truth in life I've found
While journeying east and west
The only folks we really wound
Are those we love the best,
We flatter those we scarcely know
We please the fleeting guest
And deal full many a thoughtless blow
To those who love us best.

Author Unknown

Do's And Don'ts

Whether the voice of experience dictated the following hints, or whether they are someone's spare-time thoughts, there is a lot of good advice in these lines:

Mind your own business - and have plenty of it.

Tackle one job at a time.

Learn to deligate a part of your work and your responsibilities.

Don't stake too much on success.

Don't be afraid of failure.

Don't undervalue what you have.

Forget the people you don't like.

Keep both you sense of humor and proportion.

Forget yesterday, It is gone.

Don't dread tomorrow; it isn't here yet.

By. W.C. Hultgran

The Choice Is Mine

I can be strong, I can be brave
I can be free, or be a slave.
I can forgive as He forgave--
The choice is mine.

I can go through in storm or gale,
I can be true of I can fail,
I can desert or set my sail--
The choice is mine.

If I would live, then I must die
And bid this feeble world goodbye,
It's treasures dear I must deny--
The choice is mine.

I'll walk by faith where I am led,
It matters not what lies ahead,
And if the choice be crimson red,
The choice is mine.

I can have faith, I can have fear,
I can believe that God is near,
Or I can doubt the things I hear--
The choice is mine.

I can draw close or I can stray,
I can submit or go my way,
Within my heart I hear Him say--
The choice is mine.

If I the King of Heaven choose,
If I the things of earth refuse,
The best I gain,the worse I lose--
The choice is mine.

Because He gave His life for me,
Because of love at Calvary
I take Him for eternity
The choice is mine

Gems

We don't ask for a lighter load, but for a stronger back.

If you tell me, I might forget, If you show me, I might remember, but if you involve me, I will remember.

Contentment is not having all we want, but realizing all we have.

It is not vain to pray. (Nathaniel)
It is not vain to submit (Naaman)
It is not vain to trust. (Abraham)
It is not vain to be patient (Noah)
It is not vain to come home (The prodigal)

We are vessels in the household of faith and the workmanship of the Master erases all memory of our original setting or original material. When memories haunt us, it is good to remember that we are no longer responsible for the original setting.

Life consist of meeting difficulties, overcoming and getting thru them.

Exercise thyself unto godliness: Exercise leads to strength to victory and victory leads to possession.

Opportunity comes to pass, not to pause.

There is no fruit in the struggle to subdue the enemy or in walking thru the land. Fruit comes as we are dwelling in the land and making it productive.

A half-hearted service can be a great sacrifice, but a whole-hearted service is a great joy and privilege.

Our personal opinions and little attitudes can easily inhibit God's Spirit.

We must make choices today. We can never again choose for yesterday.

The most humble person always wins.

We are not ready-made but need to be made ready.

The only way that we can change the past and future is by changing the now.

To dream of the natural person we want to be, is to waste the person that we are.

The battle that is the hardest to win is the one we want to loose.

Goodness is not our goal, it is the result of our goal.

God is the master of impossibilities.





Thursday, December 6, 2012

If

If you can trust when every one about you
Is doubting Him, proclaiming Him untrue;
If you can hope in Christ though all forsake you,
And say 'tis not the thing for you to do;
If you can wait on God, nor wish to hurry,
Or, being greatly used, keep humble still;
Or if you're tested, cater not to worry,
And yet remain within His sovereigh will;
If you can say 'tis well when sorrow greets you,
And be content e'en though you lot be drear;
If you can be reviled, and never murmur,
Or being tempted, not give way to sin;
If you can fight for right, and stand the firmer,
Or lose the battle when you ought to win;
If you can really long for His appearing,
And therefore set your heart on things above;
If you can speak for Christ in spite of sneering,
Or to the most unlovely one show love;
If you can hear the call of God to labor,
And answer "Yes," in yieldedness and trust,
And go to tell the story of the Saviour
To souls in darkness o'er the desert's dust;
If you can pray when Satan's darts are strongest,
And take the road of faith instead of sight,
Or walk with God, e'en though His way be longest,
And swerve not to the left hand or the right;
If you desire Himself alone to fill you,
For Him alone you care to live and be,
Then 'tis not you, but Christ who dwelleth in you,
And that, O child of God, is victory!

Grace Reynolds

Grumblers

In country, town or city,
Some people can be found,
Who spend their lives in grumbling,
at everything around;
O yea, they always grumble,
No matter what we say,
For these are chronic grumblers,
And they grumble night and day.

Chorus;
Oh! they grumble on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Grumble on Thursday, too,
Grumble on Friday, Saturday, Sunday,
Grumble the whole week through.

The grumble in the city,
The grumble on the farm
They grumble at their neighbors,
They think is is no harm.
They grumble at their husbands,
They grumble at their wives;
They grumble at their children,
But the grumbler never thrives.

They grumble when it's raining,
They grumble when it's dry,
And if the crops are failing,
They grumble and they sigh;
They grumble at low prices,
They grumble when their high,
They grumble all the year 'round,
And they grumble till they die.

They grumble at the preacher,
They grumble at his prayer;
They grumble at his preaching,
They grumble everywhere;
They stay away from meetings,
Because it's hot or cold;
Or else it looks like raining,
A headache or a cold.

If you don't quit your grumblings,
And stop it now and here
You'll never get to Heaven,
No grumblers enter there,
Repent and be converted,
Be saved from all your sin;
You know that grumbling Christians,
Find it hard a crown to win.

Author Unknown

Mrs. Sanders Notes

Our Friends

New friends I cherish and treasure their worth,
But old friends to me are the salt of the earth,
Friends are like garments that everyone wears,
New ones are needed for dressing affairs;
But when we're at leisure, we're more apt to choose,
The clothes that we purchased with last season's shoes.
Things we grow used to are things we love best-
The ones we are certain have weathered the test,
And isn't it time, since we're talking of friends,
That new ones bring pleasure when everything blends,
But when we want someone who thinks as we do
And who fits, as I said, like last summer's shoe,
We turn to the friends who have stuck through the years,
Who echo our laughter & dry my own tears;
They know every weakness and fault we posess,
But somehow forget them in friendship caress;
The story is old, yet fragrant and sweet;
I've said it before, but just let me repeat;
New friends I cherish & treasure their worth,
But old friends to me are the salt of the earth.

Author Unknown

Found in my Grandmother's notes.

Unless You Let It In

All the water in the world
However much it tried
Could never, never sink a ship
Unless it got inside.

All the evil in the world
The blackest kind of sin,
Could never hurt you one least bit
Unless you let it in.

Author Unknown

The Kindly Father

He was a kindly father who granted every plea,
He gave his boy the toy he asked, whatever it might be,
He could not bear to see a tear come to the youngster's eye.
Because he loved the youngster so he never let him cry.

He shielded him from every hurt, he shielded him from pain;
He drove the little lad to school and drove him home again,
And when his sums were difficult and troublesome to do,
To save his boy from worrying, the father worked them through.

He planned the little fellow's day, and as the years went by
He carried every care for him until he came to die,
And oh! that son was helpless then, unused to toil or strife,
He'd neither strength nor wit with which to face the tasks of life.

Perhaps the father of us all, Who hears our every plea
Permits our burdens to remain that stronger we may be,
And though at times he pities us, 'twere better in the end
That we should learn to stand alone and on ourselves depend.

By Edgar A. Guest (1930)

What He Missed

He lived and died and never knew
What deed of splendor he could do.
He never had to work for bread
Nor plan of save to get ahead
He never had to set his hand
Gainst stubborn clay of shifting sand.
Or venture all on one last pitch,
Because his father left him rich.

He watched men building and he oft
Wished that he too, might climb aloft
And swing steel girders into place
And do it with such skill and grace.
He looked at countless busy men
Going to work and home again.
And wondered what he might have done
Had he been born a poor man's son.

He had no debt he couldn't pay,
No want he couldn't fill each day;
No goal to strive for; non to fight;
No need to test his skill or might.
He walked with men and never knew
Wether his hands their work could do.
And yet in secrecy he yearned
"To know the joy of something earned.

Men frown on poverty, and yet
"Tis wealth which should their scorning get,
For them rings out life's battle song,
Theirs are the conquests,
Theirs the thrill
Of testing brawn and brain and skill,
Wealth dulls the tools and rusts the pen
But poverty produces men.

Author Unknown Found In My Grand Mothers Things

Failure

When I grow peevish over care
And into fits of temper fly
O'er crosses which I ought to bear,
Disgusted with myself I am.

When irritation I display
And look with angers flashing eyes,
Our hurts I aught to laugh away,
Myself I thoroughly despise.

Though others pass the tantrum by
'Tis something which I can't forget,
It bothers me to think that I
Can be so easily upset.

When to some real or fancied wrong
Up to my best I've failed to live;
For being weak instead of strong
Myself I never guite forgive.

By: Edgar Guest

Manhood

Whatever change the future brings,
Honor and pluck will be required.
These to the end of earthly things
Will be respected and desired.

Let isms flourish as they may,
He will be numbered with the few
Who show a willingness to stay,
And fight his difficulties through.

There will be need and praise for skill
And skill by patience comes alone;
By all we judge as good and ill
Will man's accomplishments be known.

No law can lessen wisdom's price,
Or easier make the heights to climb,
Success will call for sacrifice
In toil and study, faith and time.

Oh, eager youth be not misled!
Long is the road to decent fame.
Whatever changes lie ahead
The cost of manhood stays the same.

By: Edgar Guest 1941

Old Age

I used to think that growing old
was reckened just in years,
But who can name the very date
when weariness appears?
I find no stated time when man
obedient to the law
Must settle in an easy chair
and from the world withdraw.
Old age is rather curious,
or so it seems to me;
I know old men at forty,
and young men at seventy-three.

It's done by counting life by years,
or temples turning gray,
No man is old who wakes with joy
to greet another day.
What if the body can not dance
with youth's elastic spring?
There's many a vibrant interest
to which the mind can cling.
'Tis in the spirit Age must dwell,
or this would never be;
I know old men at forty,
and young men at seventy-three.

Some men keep all their friendships warm
and welcome friendships new,
They have no time to sit and mourn
the things they used to do.
This changing world they greet with joy
And never bow to fate;
On every new adventure
they-set out with hearts slate;
From chilling fear and bitter dread,
they keep their spirits free,
While some seem old at forty,
these stay young at seventy-three.

So much to do, so much to learn,
so much in which to share.
With twinkling eyes and minds alert
some brave both time and care.
And this I've learned from other men,
that only they are old
Who think with something that has passed,
the tale of life is told.
For age is not a loan of time,
or we would never see,
Man old and bent at forty,
and young at seventy-three.

By: Edgar Guest

My Grandma's House

Some memories I truly miss,
As days and hours go by,
Moments filled with childhood bliss,
It almost makes me cry.

Some memories fly straight & true,
That life and years can't douse,
They cheer me up when I am blue,
Like times at Grandma's house.

She made me feel like I was King,
All the grandkids felt that way,
We would always laugh and play & sing,
And happiness ruled the day.

She loved life and passed it on,
Took time to smell the flowers,
I want to keep this happy tone,
Since she gave us the power.

These times are fast, some people are mean
So, It's easy to fuss or grouse,
But it makes me happy for the love I've seen,
When nestled at Grandma's House........

Carl Harmon Jr 02-01-2001

The English Language

1. The bandage was wound around the wound.

2. The farm was used to produce, produce.

3. The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4. We must polish the Polish furniture.

5. He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6. The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

8. A bass was painted on the head of a bass drum.

9. When shot at, the dove, dove into the bushes.

10. I did not object to the object.

11. The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

13. They were too close to the door to close it.

14. The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15. A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16. To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17. The wind was to strong to wind the sail.

18. After a number of injections my jaw got number.

19. Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

20. I had to subject the subject to a series of test.

21. How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend.

There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger, neither apples or pine in pineapples. English muffins weren't invented in England of French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat.

Quicksand works slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig. And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham.

If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meece? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it? Is it and odd or an end?

If teachers taught, why don't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship?

Have noses that run and feet that smell?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

P.S/ Why doesn't "Buick" rhyme with "quick"?

It Pays To Be Different

You've heard it said, and they're words of light
That it pays to be different, when different is right.
So we need to be willing to be scoffed at and mocked,
For so was our Master as on earth he walked.

Let's look in God's word at those doing their part,
Who were willing because of the trust in their heart.
To choose to be different, when different was right,
Not moved by others, but walked in God's sight.

There was Noah, Ruth, Daniel, Mary and Paul
And a host of others, yes, one and all,
Like the children of Israel when they left Egypt by night,
All chose to be different, when different is right.

We, too, are different as we walk in God's way,
And we'll be thought strange and scoffed at some days.
But gladly we'll trust him and walk in His might,
'Twill pay to be different, when different is right.

Let's ne'er be like those in 1st Samuel eight,
Who desired a King so they might rate,
Like the nations about them who sought not God's might,
Oh, they failed to be different, when different was right.

There's coming a day, and soon it may be,
When Christ will return, and then all shall see,
Those blood-marked and child-like who walked in His light,
It paid to be different, when different was right.

We'll be glad to be different on that dreadful day,
When many will hear, "depart ye away".
Oh, may we be willing, the full price to pay,
To have his mark now, to be different that day.

From Ellen


To Older Saints

You may be growing older and your next steps a mite bit slow;
You may not move as fast as once, but, oh, God loves you so;
You may think you're not needed, that your work down here is through--
But, my beloved oldster, God has a plan for you.
Your white hair shows the wisdom you've gathered through the years,
Your presence stands for victories; proved you've conquered many fears.
Your sweetness shows that Christ dwells within, His love in you abides;
As these virtues flow out from you, you're blessing other lives.
Oh, don't ever be discouraged, if others must wait on you.
You've done your years of service, just let his light shine through.
So, rejoice and live for Jesus and to others, His kindness show.
You're still wanted and still needed. You're God Messenger, you know.

Last poem written by Mary Lindley. Mary was from KY and labored in the southern stated. She wrote Hymn #93 - "Only One Life To Live"

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

A Christmas to Remember

Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.

It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted so bad that year for Christmas.

We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. So after supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read scriptures.

But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity.

Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see.

We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up the big sled unless we were going to haul a big load.

Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me.. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high sideboards on.

When we had exchanged the sideboards Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood---the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?" "

You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight.

Sure, I'd been by, but so what? "Yeah," I said, "why?"

"I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him.

We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand.

"What's in the little sack?" I asked.

"Shoes. They're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the wood-pile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us. It shouldn't have been our concern.

We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door.

We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?"

"Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt. Could we come in for a bit?"

Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all.

Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp. "We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out on e pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children---sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last.

I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out.

"We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said, then he turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring enough in to last for awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up."

I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and, much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too.

In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks and so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy filled my soul that I'd never known before. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference.

I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people. I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord himself has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us."

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it.

Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.

Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two older brothers and two older sisters were all married and had moved away. Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, "'May the Lord bless you,' I know for certain that He will."

Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that. But on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. So, Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Just then the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children.

For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life. Count your blessings everyday, slowly and thoughtfully.

-- Author Unknown

Geese

In the fall when you see geese in a "V" formation, heading back south for the winter, you might be interested to know why they fly that way. Scientist have learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% flying range more than if each bird was on it's own.

Basic Truth #1: Those who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they travel on the thrust of one another's effort.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels a drag and air resistance from trying to go it alone. It quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.

Basic Truth #2: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those headed the same way as we are.

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another flies point.

Basic Truth #3: It pays to take turns on hard jobs-for people as for south-bound geese.

The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep their speed.

Basic Truth #4: We need to be careful of what we say when we honk from behind.

Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow it down to provide help and protection. They stay with it until it is either able to fly or is dead, then set back out to catch up with the flock, flying on their own or with another group.

Final Truth: If we have the sense of a goose, we will always stand by one another.

The Love of God

We can talk an hour about it but not have it. No vessel can contain it all. No tongue can explain it all, For it can only be explained by living it, and retained by giving it. When we share it, then we have more than we had. Withhold it and we have less. It has no competitors or equals. Death cannot claim it, but only proclaim it. Persecution only brings it to the surface. It turns every experience into a privilege. It works best under pressure. It has no faults and no failures. It can turn every living sacrifice into a reasonable service. It has been cradled in a manger, crucified on a cross, resurrected from a tomb, and carried into heaven. I admire it in others, I desire it from others. I require it for others... But I can only acquire it from God.

Twelve Things To Remember

1. The value of time.

2. The success of perseverance.

3. The pleasure of working.

4. The dignity of simplicity.

5. The worth of character.

6. The power of kindness.

7. The influence of example.

8. The obligation of duty.

9. The wisdom of economy.

10. The virtue of patience.

11. The improvement of talent.

12. The joy of originating.

The Warfare Of Life

Every soul must face the conflict,
On the one-way road to home.
How to fight the battle bravely,
We must learn as we go on.
The Commander is so anxious
Watching from the other shore;
And his weapons are not carnal,
That we use to win the war.

Bravely fighting, Christian soldier,
As you join the faithful band;
Seperated from all others--
Marching t'ward the Promised Land.
Persecuted--not defented--
We shall never compromise.
Striving, ever pressing onward,
"Till, at last, we hold the prize.

Youth must face an early struggle,
With the demon, Fleshly lust;
Popularity's temptation--
We'll defeat them, yea, we must!
Fading fads and foolish fashions
Find no place in honest heart;
Conquoring, again to conquor,
Failing not to do our part.

Middle age has come so swiftly,
With its busy business race
Comes the flagrant of all passions;
Pride of power, Pride of place,
Oh our Father, help me quickly;
Enemies have come with stealth,
Offering, with a place of power,
The deceitfulness of wealth.

Suddenly, Old Age overtakes us;
The severest test of all;
Weakened in the mind and body,
It is now we win or fall.
Oft forgotten, always lonely;
Darkness deepens--Death is near.
"Saviour, hear my heart's last pleading,
"Let me know that Thou art here."

"Warrior brave, I hear you calling,
"And I will not stay my hand.
"I'll go to, yea, through death with you,
"Lead you into Beulah Land.
"No more tears and no more sorrow,
"No more death, nor pain to stand,
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant,
"Welcome to the Promised Land."

Heaven's Call

In the heart of the mountains, called the Rockies of the west,
By the streams of living waters, flowing 'neath a snowy crest,
Lived a breed of mountain men--quiet as the forest around them;
Ranchers, Rustlers, Poachers, Plowmen, Indians, Cowpokes and Common Men.

Their children changed to adults, saw so much but little said;
Heard the shootings, saw the killing, knew of innocent blood shed.
Out of chaos and confusion, saw the law and order come.
War across the restless waters had been fought and had been won.

Swiftly came the great depression, jobless men and railroad bums,
Hungry children, homeless families, broken banks and city slums.
From the plains of Colorado came some strangers to the town;
Having lost all in the dust bowl, searching for a better ground.

Saw the fruit trees heavy-laden--in abundance they did bear;
Work was scarce, and money, too, but food a plenty and some to spare.
Settled in that fertile valley, with his family from the plain;
Quietly he lived amongst them, richer that the common man.

Richer without earthly treasure than the mortals 'round him guessed,
For the God of Heaven loved him, "cross the waters through the fray.
When the war at last was over, and the homeland met his view,
How he longed to follow closer the Saviour of the few.

Dispossess himself of all things, even as the Master asked;
Follow where the Shepherd leads him, obey God's will--do his task.
Seek the lost sheep on the mountain, bring the sinner home to stay,
Show the dying men His pattern, teach God's doctrine, shun man's way.

To the distant land of famine, starving men he sought to feed.
Teach the heathen of Salvation, meet their hungry Soul's sad need;
To the sightless eyes give vision, heal the broken hearted man;
Fight the battle to the finish, fit into God's perfect plan.

Farewell Dear Friend

Farewell, farewell, dear friend of mine, you face I no more see.
Nor hear your voice so soft and low, speaking kindly to me.
The years have come and years will go--you fill my memory.

When first we met so long ago, we had the strength of youth,
From different backgrounds we set forth to seek the God of Truth.
We searched and found the God of Love, and strove to bring forth fruit.

We saw the need of dying men; our hearts were moved to go,
To sow the seed, the Word of Life--praying that it would grow.
Sowing our lives as dying seed, our zeal was all aglow!

So swift an arrow in its flight, thus time has had its way;
And left its mark upon our lives--for time can no man stay.
We wouldn't stop it if we could--'tis God's own plan and way.

When changes come and we are faced to move as God commands;
We gladly go, this seed to sow, to new and strange lands,
Where other men have sown before, led by our Father's hands.

Through the years we've worked together, burden-bearing brother,
Our trials, our fears, both great and small we shared with each other,
Mingled with joys and sorrows, too, brother, o' my brother.

Jonathan loved his David true, with love that was divine,
Paul loved Timothy as his own son, which was a godly sign.
The same sweet fellowship is yours--the same, indeed is mine.

Farewell! the parting comes at last; may inner weepings cease;
The fiery test and trials can forge noble bonds of peace,
That reach beyond life's little span, to give the soul release.

1972........In memory of Dale Spencer.





To Be A Servant

Called to be a Servant--just to bear the Master's name.
Sent to preach the Gospel, Have God's blessing, share God's shame.

Forsaking all he went, where the Master bid him roam,
Forsake, still forsaking, When our Master called him home.

In this grave we lay him, 'till the resurrection dawn,
The Dead In Christ Shall Rise, God will claim his very own.

We miss him, we miss him, From this earth he has release,
Gone, but not forgotten--may his soul now rest in peace.

In Memory of Ed Coenock

The Cross

Whatever your cross,
Whatever your pain,
There will always be sunshine,
After the rain...

Perhaps you may stumble,
Perhaps you may fall,
But God's always ready,
To answer your call...

He knows every heartache,
Sees every tear,
A word from His lips,
Can calm every fear...

Your sorrow may linger,
Throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish,
Dawn's early light...

The Savior is waiting,
Somewhere above,
To give you His grace,
And send you His love...

Whatever your cross,
Whatever your pain,
"God always sends rainbows...
After the rain..."

Clarence Anderson's Poem

May God be kind and tender toward you.
His presence, rest and peace afford you
His Spirit reign as Sovereign o'ver you
Unto the journey's end.

May Heaven's best be given to you
The strength and love of God endue you
His life be manifested to you
Unto the journey's end.

May vows you've made forever bind you
The coming year and season find you
With all of earth set far behind you
Unto the journey's end.

May the God of Heaven who freed you
Ever love, protect and feed you
Daily comfort, teach and lead you
Unto the journey's end.

Clarence Anderson

Thoughts To Ponder

The Top Ten Things To Give:

1. Your Time:

How many of you are to busy with your own lives to give your time to others?

Being busy is an excuse and a reason not to go out of your way. People need you and love you. They want to see you. Let them in. Let them have time with you.

2. Your Support:

How many of you really support the people in your life?

What I mean by support is encouragement and reasons to try something new, not 10 different reasons why it won't work. Just because it didn't work for you, doesn't mean it won't work for them. And just because it didn't work for them in the past, doesn't mean it won't work this time. There's nothing better than telling a person that they can do whatever they want in this world.

3. Your Acceptance:

This may be a toughie for some of you.

This means unconditional love and the ability to love someone for who they are and not what you want them to be. It means giving up how you thinks their life should go, and accepting them for what they want to do with their lives. This is the greatest that you can give to the people in your life.

4. Your Attention:

How many of you really listen to the people in your life?

For everyone who just said "of course I do," then why do you often times have to ask other people, friends or family members, to repeat what they just said? Take a few minutes, stop what you are doing, and focus on the people that you love. Aren't they worth it? And who knows you may even learn something new that you thought that you already knew.

5. Your Forgiveness:

Forgiving people for past mistakes and hurts is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. After all they are only human. Plus, I'm sure that you haven't been the perfect human being either. Keeping hurt and anger in your life is just an excuse not to get close to people for fear that they will hurt you again.

6. Your Patience:

How many of you can't even be with the people that you love because they are taking too long to tell a story or are taking longer than "you think," to complete a project that you think should take less time to get done. How do you know that there isn't a better way to do something if the people around you always have to do it your way? Having patience with people shows them that they are respected and loved. Isn't this a great gift to give during the holidays?

7. Your Love:

People want to know that they are special in your life and that you care about them. If there are things that are keeping you from loving them such as conversations that you want to have with them, but your afraid, my advice is to say it. Sometimes you have to take a risk to achieve an open and rewarding relationship. Take the risk and give your love.

8. Your Ideas:

Sometimes people want to move forward in their lives but they don't know how. You may know something that they never thought of. And who knows you ideas may change somebody's life. So go ahead, don't be afraid to share what you know.

9. Your Smile:

There is nothing better than entering a room and seeing someone smile when you walk in. Right then and there you know that your presence makes a difference in their life. A smile is easy. You just grin upwards, Plus, you burn many more calories than from frowning.

10. A Hug:

Human tough warms the heart and keeps us connected.

In addition, it doesn't take much effort, it cost nothing, and it makes someone's day. Couldn't you find time in your schedule to hug someone you love today.

Planting Your Garden

I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses.

Spring is just around the corner-here are some ideas for your Spiritual Garden.

For the garden of your daily living, plant three rows of peas:

1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of Heart
3. Peace of Soul

Plant four rows of squash:

1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumblings
4. Squash selfishness

Plant four rows of lettuce:

1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another

It is no garden without turnips:

1. Turnip up for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip up for one another

To conclude our garden we must have Thyme:

1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends

Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.

There is much fruit in the garden because you reap what you sow.

A grateful a garden is,

Where there is always room for every perfect, Godlike grace to come to perfect bloom.

Found in notes of Gertrude Sanders.

Monday, December 3, 2012

The Innkeeper's Excuse

"Oh, if I had only known."
Said the keeper of the Inn.
"But no hint to me was shown
And I didn't let them in.

Yes, a star gleamed overhead,
But I couldn't read the skies,
And I'd given every bed
To the very rich and wise.

And she was so poorly clad,
And he hadn't much to say,
But no room for them I had,
So I ordered them away.

She seemed tired and it was late,
And they begged so hard that I
Feeling sorry for her state
In the stable let them lie.

Had I turned some rich man out
Just to make a place for them,
I'd have killed beyond a doubt
All my trade at Bethlehem.

All my patrons now are dead
And forgotten, but today
All the world to peace is led
By the one I sent away.

It was my unlucky fate
To be born that Inn to own
Against Christ I shut the gate,
"Oh, if I had only known."

If we are ashamed of Jesus here,
We will be ashamed of ourselves for all eternity.

From Willie Pollock's poem book.

One Sentence Testimonies

A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standings.

Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.

Exercise daily, walk with the Lord.

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

Give God whats right, not what's left.

Give Satan an inch and he'll be a ruler.

God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called.

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

Having truth decay? Brush up on your Bible!

He who angers you, controls you.

He who is good at making excuses is seldom good for anything else.

He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

Never give the devil a ride! He will always want to drive!

Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it.

Prayer Thoughts

Pray is the key to the day and the bolt to the night.

Watching makes it easier to pray and praying makes it easier to watch.

It is useless to fight without praying but it is useless, too, to pray without praying.

Ere you left you room this morning, did you think to pray?

If we pray for the harvest field, it will help us have a heart of compassion.

If we would worship while we wait, we would not complain of waiting.

Things we live for determine what we pray for.

Our lives give meaning to the words we pray.

Prayer should be the environment for God's children - not an emergency measure but a daily necessity.

Pray, Pray more, Pray every day, Pray earnestly, pray as if your life depended on it - because it does.

When we are unable to stand, it is because we haven't been able to kneel.

In Ecclesiastes it mentions a time for many things, but not prayer - we must take time for prayer.

In the morning begging for His Spirit and in the evening pleading for His forgiveness.

We know not what we should pray for as we ought, but we know we ought to pray.

It is our feeling of need and desperate weakness that appeals to God, not our words.

Prayer is like dressing, reading is like eating; we can go without eating - we only rob ourselves - but we would never think of going without dressing.

Prayers of righteous people keep God's servents where they are.

When you pray, pray - the devil would like to sow other thoughts.

Put a praying person in an impossible position and he will come out a victor with a song.

Pray with desperation; fight with determination; serve without reservation.

Casual reading (no meditation) and casual praying (no seeking) lead to casualties.

Very few people in the world today even think of God every day; even fewer pray to God; but those who wait on him, He knows by name.

When we are praying it is hard to criticise.

Prayer doesn't prepare us for the battle; it is the battle.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Thoughts

A celebrity is a person who works hard all his life to become well known, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized. ~Fred Allen

A compromise is an agreement whereby both parties get what neither of them wanted. ~Author Unknown

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone. ~ Gladys Berthe Stern

A gentleman is a man who can play the accordion but doesn't. ~Author Unknown

All my life, I always wanted to be somebody. Now I see that I should have been more specific. ~Jane Wagner

"If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." - Ronald Reagan

An expert is a man who tells you a simple thing in a confused way in such a fashion as to make you think the confusion is your own fault. ~William Castle

May those who love us love us, and those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts, and if He cannot turn their hearts may He turn their ankles that we may know them by their limping. ~ Irish Prayer

When somebody tells you nothing is impossible, ask him to dribble a football. ~Author Unknown

The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. ~Author Unknown

Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together. ~Carl Zwanzig

She's the kind of girl who climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong. ~Mae West

We all can make an impact on others by serving those who need serving, comforting and
being there for those who are hurting, and encouraging those who are sad. Rise, do so, you will find the rewards to yourself are amazing. ~ Unknown

Source: Internet

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Ten Uses For Holiday Fruitcakes

10. Use slices to balance that wobbly kitchen table.

9. Use instead of sand bags during El Nino.

8. Send to US Air Force, let troops drop them.

7. Use as railroad ties.

6. Use as speed bumps to foil the neighborhood drag racers.

5. Collect ten and use them as bowling pins.

4. Use instead of cement shoes.

3. Save for next summer's garage sale.

2. Use slices in next skeet-shooting competition.

1. Two words: pin cushion.

Source: Internet

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Life Quotes

"Wisdom has two parts:

1. Having a lot to say.
2. Not saying it." A Wise Person

If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. Abigail Van Buren

There is no strength in numbers when you are wrong. Author Unknown

Too often we visit the well of divine abundance with a teacup instead of a bucket. Elinor MacDonald

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. Thomas Jefferson

One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade. Chinese Proverb

There's no place like home, except Grandma's.

What matters is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight of the dog. Coach Bear Bryant

Do not handicap your children by making their lives easy. Robert A. Heinlein

There is no experience better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up. John Andrew Holmer

A city is a large community where people are lonesome together. Herbert Prochnow

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? Corrie Ten Boom

Funny, the moment you get someone else worrying, you stop worrying yourself. Spencer Tracy

The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example. Thomas Morell

We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and mystery. H.G. Wells

A cynic is a person searching for an honest man with a stolen lantern. Edgar A. Shoaff

We have to learn to be our own best friend, because we fall too easily into the trap of being our worst enemy. Roderick Thorp

Life is a continuous adjustment of internal relations to external relations. Herbert Spencer

Good health and good sense are two of life's greatest blessings. Publius

A smile costs nothing in money, time, or effort but it is literally true that it can be of supreme importance in one's life. Emmet Fox

Rain is a good reminder of how our attitude can affect everything. Some folks let it destroy their day; others consider it a blessing. Judy Ford

Whenever I meet people for the first time, I assume that they have a great story to tell and that it's my job to find it. Sarah Ferguson The Duchess of York, What I Know Now

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." Author Unknown

"Flattery is from the teeth out. Sincere appreciation is from the heart out." Dale Carnegie

"We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in the darkness."
Author Unknown

Source: Internet

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Funny But Wise Proverbs

A lie travels round the world while truth is putting her boots on. French Proverb

If you dig a hole for someone else, you'll fall into it. Hungarian Proverb

You will never plough a field if you only turn it over in your mind. Irish Proverb

Experience is a comb which nature gives us when we are bald. ~ Proverb

A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. ~ Proverb

There is hope as long as your fishing-line is in the water. Norwegian Proverb

You cannot get to the top by sitting on your bottom. ~ Proverb

Parents can tell but never teach, unless they practice what they preach. ~ Proverb

Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week. ~ Proverb

"Words have no wings but they can fly a thousand miles."

Good weight and measure, are heaven's treasure.

Wishes won't wash dishes.

You may find your best friend or your worst enemy in yourself.

Sometimes you have to be silent in order to be heard.

One man's fault is another man's lesson.

Never say no due to pride, or yes due to weakness.

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

Lose an hour in the morning and you'll be running after it all day.

"Cause your facial expression to change - smile."

"Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give." Author Unknown

Source: Internet

God's Garden

Plant three rows of peas:

Peace of mind
Peace of heart
Peace of soul

Plant four rows of squash:

Squash gossip
Squash indifference
Squash grumbling
Squash selfishness

Plant four rows of lettuce:

Lettuce be faithful
Lettuce be kind
Lettuce be obedient
Lettuce really love one another.

You will have no garden without turnips:

Turnup for meetings
Turnip for service
Turnup to help one another

Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.
There is much fruit in your garden
Because you reap what you sow

To conclude our garden,we must have thyme:

Thyme for God - Thyme for study
Thyme for prayer

by Author Unknown

Source: Internet

It Takes Courage

It takes strength to be firm, it takes courage to be gentle.
It takes strength to conquer, it takes courage to surrender.
It takes strength to be certain, it takes courage to have doubt.
It takes strength to fit in, it takes courage to stand out.

It takes strength to feel a friend's pain, it takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to endure abuse, it takes courage to stop it.
It takes strength to stand alone, it takes courage to lean on another.
It takes strength to love, it takes courage to be loved.

It takes strength to survive, it takes courage to live.

Poet Unknown

Source: Internet

Quotes for Your Week

Monday

If you run after luck, you will spoil many pairs of shoes. ~ Russian Proverb

Tuesday

Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you. ~ Denis Waitley

Wednesday

Every mistake adds marginally to your wisdom bank. ~ M. K. Soni

Thursday

Get a good idea and stay with it. Do it, and work at it until it's done right. ~ Walt Disney

Friday

Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together. ~ George Eliot

Saturday

We work to become, not to acquire. ~ Elbert Hubbard

Sunday

Expect more good out of life than bad. Expect to succeed more often than you fail, and you will. ~ Earl Nightingale

Source: Internet

Count Your Blessings

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;
Love your neighbor as much as yourself.

Poet: Unknown

Source: Internet

Friday, November 23, 2012

After Thanksgiving Poem


I ate too much turkey,

I ate too much corn

I ate too much pudding and pie.

I'm stuffed up with muffins and too much stuffin'

I'm probably going to die.

I piled up my plate and I ate and I ate.

But I wish I had known when to stop.

For I'm so crammed with yams, sauces, gravies and jams

That my buttons are starting to pop!

I'm full of tomatoes and french fried potatoes

My stomach is swollen and sore.

But there's still some dessert so I guess it won't hurt if

I eat just a little bit more!

~ Jack Prelutsky ~

Source: Internet

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Chicken Surprise!!

A couple go for a meal at a Chinese restaurant and order the 'Chicken
Surprise',

The waitress brings the meal, served in a lidded pot.

Just as the wife is about to serve herself, the lid of the pot rises
slightly And she briefly sees two beady little eyes looking around
before the Lid slams back down.

'Good grief, did you see that?' she asks her husband. He hasn't, so she
Asks him to look in the pot. He reaches for it and again the lid rises,
And he sees two little eyes looking around before it slams down.

Rather perturbed, he calls the waitress over, explains what is happening,
And demands an explanation.

'Please sir,' says the waitress,, 'what you order?'

The husband replies, 'Chicken Surprise.'

You're going to love this..................

You're going to hate yourself for loving this!..............

'Ah! So sorry,' says the waitress , 'I bring you Peeking Duck

Author Unknown

Housework Can Wait

Come in, but don't expect to find
all dishes done, all floors a shine.
Observe the crumbs and toys galore.
The smudgy prints upon the door.

The little ones we shelter here
don't thrive on a spotless atmosphere.
They're more inclined to disarray
and carefree even messy play.

Their needs are great, their patience small.
all day I'm at their beck and call.
It's Mommy come! Mommy see!
Wiggly worms and red scraped knee.
Painted picture’s, blocks piled high.

My floors un-shined, the days go by.
Some future day they'll flee this nest,
and I at last will have a rest!
Now you tell me which matters more,
a happy child or a polished floor?

...Author Unknown

Source: Internet

Male Or Female

Male or Female? You might not have known this, but a lot of non-living objects are actually either male or female. Here are some examples:

FREEZER BAGS: They are male, because they hold everything in, but you can see right through them.

PHOTOCOPIERS: These are female, because once turned off; it takes a while to warm them up again. They are an effective reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can also wreak havoc if you push the wrong Buttons.

TIRES: Tires are male, because they go bald easily and are often over inflated.

HOT AIR BALLOONS: Also a male object, because to get them to go anywhere, you have to light a fire under their butt.

SPONGES: These are female, because they are soft, squeezable and retain water.

WEB PAGES: Female, because they're constantly being looked at and frequently getting hit on.

TRAINS: Definitely male, because they always use the same old lines for picking up people.

EGG TIMERS: Egg timers are female because, over time, all the weight shifts to the bottom.

HAMMERS: Male, because in the last 5000 years, they've hardly changed at all, and are occasionally handy to have around.

THE REMOTE CONTROL: Female. Ha! You probably thought it would be male, but consider this: It easily gives a man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and while he doesn't always know which buttons to push, he just keeps trying.

Source: Internet

"Right! Wright, Write 'Rite' Right, Right Away"

Said a boy to his teacher one day,
"Wright has not written 'rite,' I say"
And the teacher replied
As the error he eyed,
"Right! Wright, write 'rite' right, right away"

Unknown

Source: Internet

A Thanksgiving Dinner

Take a turkey, stuff it fat,
Some of this and some of that.
Get some turnips, peel them well.
Cook a big squash in its shell.

Now potatoes, big and white,
Mash till they are soft and light.
Cranberries, so tart and sweet,
With the turkey we must eat.

Pickles-yes-and then, oh my!
For a dessert a pumpkin pie,
Golden brown and spicy sweet.
What a fine Thanksgiving treat!

~ Maude M. Grant ~

Source: Internet

Thanksgiving Weather Forecast

Turkeys will thaw in the morning, then warm in the oven to an
afternoon high near 190º. The kitchen will turn hot and
humid, and if you bother the cook, be ready for a severe squall or
cold shoulder.

During the late afternoon and evening, the cold front of a knife will
slice through the turkey, causing an accumulation of one to two
inches on plates. Mashed potatoes will drift across one side while
cranberry sauce creates slippery spots on the other. Please pass the gravy.

A weight watch and indigestion warning have been issued for the
entire area, with increased stuffiness around the beltway. During the
evening, the turkey will diminish and taper off to leftovers,
dropping to a low of 34º in the refrigerator.

Looking ahead to Friday and Saturday,
high pressure to eat sandwiches established.
Flurries of leftovers can be expected both days
with a 50 percent chance of scattered soup late in the day.

We expect a warming trend where soup develops.
By early next week, eating pressure
will be low as the only wish left will be the bone.

Unknown

Source: Internet

"Twas The Night Of Thanksgiving"

Twas The Night Of Thanksgiving,
But I Just Couldn't Sleep.
I Tried Counting Backwards,
I Tried Counting Sheep.

The Leftovers Beckoned -
The Dark Meat And White,
But I Fought The Temptation
With All Of My Might.

Tossing And Turning With Anticipation,
The Thought Of A Snack Became Infatuation.
So, I Raced To The Kitchen, Flung Open The Door,
And Gazed At The Fridge, Full Of Goodies Galore.
Gobbled Up Turkey And Buttered Potatoes,
Pickles And Carrots, Beans And Tomatoes.

I Felt Myself Swelling So Plump And So Round,
'Til All Of A Sudden, I Rose Off The Ground.
I Crashed Through The Ceiling, Floating Into The Sky,
With A Mouthful Of Pudding And A Handful Of Pie..
But, I Managed To Yell As I Soared Past The Trees....
Happy Eating To All - Pass The Cranberries, Please. ~~unknown

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Buy A Dog

If you want someone who will bring you the paper without first tearing it apart to remove the sports section, If you want someone willing to make a fool of himself simply over the joy of seeing you,

Buy a Dog.

If you want someone who will eat whatever you put in front of him and never says its not quite as good as his Mother made it,

Buy a Dog.

If you want someone always willing to go out, at any hour, for as long and wherever you want,

Buy a Dog.

If you want someone to scare away burglars, without a lethal weapon which terrifies you and endangers the lives of your family and all the neighbors,

Buy a Dog.

If you want someone who will never touch the remote, doesn't give a care about football, and can sit next to you as you spend time on the computer,

Buy a Dog.

If you want someone who is content to get up on your bed just to warm your feet and whom you can push off if he snores,

Buy a Dog.

If you want someone who never criticizes what you do, doesn't care if you are pretty or ugly, fat or thin, young or old, with hair or without, who acts as if every word you say is especially worthy of listening to, and loves you unconditionally, perpetually,

Buy a Dog.

But, on the other hand, if you want someone who will never come when you call, ignores you totally when you come home, leaves hair all over the place, walks all over you, runs around all night, only comes home to eat and sleep, and acts as if your entire existence is solely to ensure his happiness.

Then my friend,

Buy a Cat.

Source: Internet

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Happiness

True happiness may be sought, caught, or thought, But never bought.

Happiness is the result of being too busy to be unhappy.

No one can define happiness. You have to be unhappy to understand it.

Happiness does not come from what you have. But what you are.

Happiness is where you find it and seldom where you seek it.

Happiness is home brewed.

The surest path to happiness is in losing yourself in a cause greater than yourself.

The place to be happy is here, the time to be happy is now, the way to be happy is to
make others so.

Source: Internet

Things To Ponder

The best way to get even is to forget.

Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death..

God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts..

Some folks wear their halos much too tight...

Please make my words Sweet and tender, For tomorrow...I may have to eat them.

Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you don't have a leg to stand on.

Unless you can create the WHOLE universe in 5 days, Then perhaps giving "advice" to God, isn't such a good idea!

"An obstacle is often a stepping stone." - Prescott

Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up...

"Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live."

Standing in the middle of the road is dangerous. You will get knocked down by the traffic from both ways.

Words are windows to the heart.

"He who sings scares away his woes."

So I got home, and the phone was ringing, I picked it up, and said: "Who's speaking please?" And a voice said: "You are."

"Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future."

It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill just add a little dirt.

If a man's wife is his better half, and he marries twice, what then becomes of him?

A successful marriage isn't finding the right person-it's being the right person.

"You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself."

"Life is the sum of all your choices." - Albert Camus

The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground.

To forgive is to set the prisoner free, and then discover the prisoner was you.

You have to wonder about humans, they think God is dead and Elvis is alive!

You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck...

If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher.

Applied excessively, styling gel could cause you to have a hair-raising experience.

Keep smiling! And...if you see someone's missing one....give them one of yours!

Source: Internet

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

~ author unknown ~

Monday, November 12, 2012

Your Past Mistakes and Failures Don’t Define You

“There is a reason the windshield is 10 times larger than the rearview mirror.”

Click Here to read the article.

Source: Internet

Five Of The Hardest Words To Say

“I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

And it’s equally important counterpart…

“I’m sorry. I messed up.”

Each phrase contains 5 words that are hard to say but 5 words that are extremely liberating when said.

Why are they so hard?

What are we trying to prove? Why the desire to always be “right”? Why the fear of letting someone know we’re human and capable of mistakes? Why the ego? Why the facade?

Trust isn’t built that way. Trust doesn’t hide behind these 5 words. Trust is built by being transparent, accountable and real. It isn’t about being right all the time, it’s about being honest and stepping up to the plate when you are wrong and when you’ve messed up. It doesn’t mean your admission is a hall pass for the consequences but it does mean that you have integrity and hopefully a desire to make amends.

I’d much rather have someone on my team who is honest and who can admit their mistakes when they make them versus someone who just tries to cover their tracks to save face. That may work in the short-term but eventually it gets found out and when it does, trust is impaired to a great degree.

Being truthful can be tough when we’re wrong or let someone down but it’s in how we respond that makes all the difference.

It’s a choice. A choice we need to make at home, at work and in everything we do.

Source: Internet

I'm Sorry

I am sorry. Three short words. Three powerful words. Three words that can prevent us from plunging deeper down the wrong path.

Will we allow our egos to get in the way from steering us towards this harder, but far more rewarding path?

Source: Internet

“Please” and “Thank You”

A recent National Public Radio story by columnist Linton Weeks examined the disappearance of some of the first words you were probably taught – “please” and “thank you.” Are we becoming ruder, or are patterns of speech merely updating for changing times?

Lisa Gache, co-founder of the Los Angeles-based Beverly Hills Manners, told Weeks that the erosion of courteous language has to do with “the predilection toward all things casual in our society today” and that casual conversation, dress and behavior have “hijacked” practically every aspect of people’s daily lives.

Other polite phrases are also disappearing, Weeks says. “You’re welcome” has been replaced by “sure,” “no problem,” “you bet” or “enjoy.”

Peter Post, Emily Post’s great-grandson and a director of The Emily Post Institute, takes issue with the demise of “you’re welcome,” too. In a Boston Globe piece, Post says, “’Thank you’ is an expression of appreciation one person offers another. To respond ‘No problem’ is to shrug off this acknowledgment as really being undeserved.” By responding with a simple “you’re welcome,” Post says, a person acknowledges the thanks and shows appreciation for the person giving it.

Whatever polite vocabulary you believe is waning, Augusta, GA, psychiatrist Gregory E. Smith asserts in the NPR story that the fading pleasantries are a sign we’re becoming ruder as a society. “Saying please and thank you, asking permission, offering unsolicited help, and following up on solutions to problems are no longer as important,” he says. A grocery checkout person will now “blandly bag your item, swipe your debit card, hand you your receipt, all while having a conversation on her cellphone. Amazing. Outrageous,” he says. And, Weeks, writes, research backs up his observations. In 2011, 76 percent of people surveyed by Rasmussen Reports said Americans are becoming less civil.

But could it be that it’s simply the words we’re using that are changing? Weeks quotes another Post great-grandchild, Cindy Post Senning, who says, “The principles of respect, consideration and honesty are universal and timeless.” But manners – as well as how they’re articulated – do change. For example, she says, it is important to greet people when you see them, though the form of greeting has morphed over time. “How do you do,” for instance, became “Hello, how are you?” which changed into “Hello, how are things,” or “How’s it going?” As a result of the change in language, she says today it would sound stilted and even disrespectful to say “How do you do?” depending on the tone you might use. As for substituting “no problem” for “you’re welcome,” Senning prefers the latter, but “if the appreciation is expressed in a genuine manner, I do not see its use as a loss of courtesy.”

Which camp are you in? Are people getting ruder, or is language – not its underlying sentiment – just evolving?

Source: Internet

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Were Thankful for our Veterans

What is a Veteran?

Written by Father Dennis Edward O'Brien - USMC

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye.

Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together or a piece of shrapnel in the leg.

Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept the world safe wear no badge or emblem.

You can't tell a vet just by looking.



What is a vet?

He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel.

She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang.

He is the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't come back at all.

He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-accounts and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs.

He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.

He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep.



He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.

He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.



He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.

So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say Thank You.



That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.

Two little words that mean a lot, "THANK YOU".

Source: Internet