Oh To Be Nothing

Oh To Be Nothing
Oh to be nothing, nothing
Only to lie at his feet
A broken and emptied vessel
For the Masters use made meet

Emptied – that he might fill me
As forth to his service I go
Broken – that so unhindered
His Life through me might flow
Oh to be nothing, nothing

Only as led by his hand
A messenger at his gateway
Only waiting for his command
Only an instrument ready
His praises to sound at his will

Willing, should he not require me
In silence to wait on him still
Oh to be nothing nothing
Painful the humbling may be
Yet low in the dust I’d lay me

That the world might my savior see
Rather be nothing, nothing
To let him our voices be raised
He is the fountain of blessing
He only is meet to be praised,,,,,

Many years ago we had an elderly family friend, called auntie Jessie, and when I went through the deepest valley’s at that time. She quoted the above hymn to me, Oh to be nothing,nothing, I have never forgotten it.

Tonight I was browsing through an very old hymn book dated 1880 and I found this hymn in there, and typed it out,_______Just to be nothing....,

Bruce Simonton

Life Is Too Short

 ...To wake up in the morning with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, and forgive the ones who don't.

And believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it.

If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it would be easy, they just promised... it would be worth it! Happiness can't be bought, it would be too expensive... you have to make your own.

Happy are they that take life day by day, complain very little, and are happy for the little things in life! At the end of the day, it's not about being pretty and popular, it's about being healthy and happy!

Laugh when you can, Apologize when you should...And let go of what you cannot change.

The Bee Attitudes

 Bee busy
Doing what you love to do.

Bee true
To the dreams God's given you.

Bee sure
To taste the sweetness of each day

Bee silly
Giggle lots...take off and play.

Bee Bold
Enough to trust your wings and fly.

Bee-lieve
The power of prayer will get you by.

Bee Happy
Keep your outlook bright and sunny.

Bee Yourself...Bee-cause
You really are a honey!

Inspiring Quotes

 

 

I  HOPE  YOU  ENJOYED  THESE   REFLECTIVE  MOMENTS.

Living Thru Life

Don't cry because its over, smile because it happened.

Pain and Suffering is inevitable but Misery is optional.

Yesterday is history,Tomorrow is a mystery,Today is a gift. That's why it's called: The Present.

A good exercise for the heart is to bend down and help another up.

Life is what you make of it...kinda like Play-Doh

The bubbling brook would lose its song if you removed the rocks.

Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open.

Everything is always okay in the end, if it's not, then it's not the end.

If all my friends jumped off a cliff, I wouldn't jump with them. I would be at the bottom to catch them.

A girl on the street is pointing up at the sky. 'Look an Angel!' she yells. Passerby laughs, 'You fool, that is only a cloud.' How wonderful it would be to see Angels where there are only clouds. How sad it would be to see clouds where there are Angels.

Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't.

So be happy! Don't let anything burst your balloon! Live through life!

Today

 I've shut the door on yesterday,
Its sorrows and mistakes,
I've locked within its gloomy walls
Past failures and heartaches.

And now I throw the key away
To seek another room,
And furnish it with hope and smiles
And every springtime bloom.

No thought shall enter this abode
That has a hint of pain,
All worry, malice and distrust
Shall never therein reign.

I've shut the door on Yesterday
And thrown the key away -
The Future holds no doubt for me,
Since I have found Today!

May all your days be beautiful!

The Treasures In You

There are treasures in life,
but owners are few
Of money and power
to buy things brand new.

Yet you can be wealthy
and feel regal too,
If you will just look
for the treasures in you.

These treasures in life
are not hard to find
When you look in your heart,
your soul, and your mind.

For when you are willing
to share what's within,
Your fervent search
for riches will end.

The joy and the laughter,
the smile that you bring;
The heart unafraid
to love and to sing.

The hand always willing
to help those in need;
Ones quick to reach out,
to labor and feed.

So thank you for sharing
these great gifts inside;
The caring, the cheering,
the hug when one cried.

Thanks for the energy,
encouragement too,
And thank you for sharing
the treasures in you.

Stanley March

Those That Are Always There

My friend is one who speaks to me, and takes the time to write, who has a thought to spare for me whenever day or night.

The one who knows the faults I have, but does not criticize and who is always at my side
to help and sympathize.

My friend is one who keeps me in her constant memory, and now and then, will turn to God and say a prayer for me.

A true friend is a gift of God, and only He who made hearts can unite them.

Wise Words

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. 

We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. 

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often..

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. 

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street
to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.. 

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands,
overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either
to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, ' I love you ' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for \ someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Aging Tips

Forget the health food. You need all the preservatives you can get.

God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway... The good fortune to run into the ones I do... And the eyesight to tell the difference!

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, ...it doesn't matter.

I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt.

If I knew I was going to get this old, I would have taken better care of myself when I was young.

If you laugh a lot, when you get older your wrinkles will be in the right places.

The Man By The Window...,

It will take just 60 seconds to read this and change your thinking..

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.

His bed was next to the room's only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band -he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed. It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present .'

Old Friends

Friendships that have stood the test
Time and change....are surely best.
Brows may wrinkle, hair grow gray,
Friendship never knows decay.

Cherish friendship in your breast
New is good....but old is best.
Make new friends, but keep the old,
Those are silver, these are gold.

There's happiness in little things
There's joy in passing pleasure.
But friendships are, from year to year,
The best of all life's treasure.

Joseph Parry

The End of Time

Donald Karnes - The End of Time

I liked history when in school and teachers' college. Now it serves well to have some knowledge of history. I see things in the Bible confirmed by history! Events now happening in the Middle East point to the fulfillment of Scriptures. Zechariah 14 tells of all nations gathered against Jerusalem. That condition exists right now. It's a powder-keg just waiting for the match to set off the explosion of the entire Middle East. Yet we know what Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3. He mentions 8 verses to describe marks that will be seen during the perilous times.

I am led to believe that the Beast that had the deadly wound which was later healed is Muslim fundamentalism, as they fit into the Bible picture. They were very strong back in the 10th and 11th centuries. They nearly conquered all Europe at that time. They came across North Africa, killing off the entire Roman civilization. If people didn't become Mohammedans they'd cut their throats. A 'pincher movement', one army went up through Spain and the other army crossed Turkey killing off all the Christians. Remember the 7 churches of Asia Minor were in what is now called Turkey. They continued in Bulgaria and were beaten back at the walls of Vienna. All Europe stirred and arose as one man to save their lives and their Christian faith. It was a life and death struggle. No quarters were asked and no prisoners were taken! The Europeans fought these "invaders" to a standstill! These Mohammedans fought on to the very end. They were badly beaten. They received a stunning defeat! They were routed, a terrible debacle. So wounded that many thought it was a fatal wound, that they would never rise again! It took them years to recover.

They remained in a dormant condition almost 1000 years. Now the deadly wound is healed. They are awakened and want their former power and prestige back. They once ruled from Spain to India and all North Africa. They tried to take over Black Africa, but they couldn't conquer "malaria of the rain-forest" of Africa. Their goal now is to destroy Israel and then the USA. The bombing of New York Trade Center is just one sentence out of their book to regain their former greatness and from there "go on to dominate the entire world." We believe God is just working out His Eternal Plan and no man can stay His Hand. He is fulfilling the scriptures. The "healing of the deadly wound" of the beast, that is, they'll return to their former power and prestige, and also to the Koran, as some of the Arabic nations have deviated from the Koran. They once ruled such a vast domain, much of the known world back there, 500 years before Columbus. Now chafing and frustrated by their defeat and stagnation of past centuries, they have lost their grip, both civil and spiritual, over countries where once they ruled. Muslims are on the move everywhere to "recapture and return to their former glory" and above all to the Koran, for they are all wanting to die for their God.

The first thing on their agenda is the destruction of Israel! That little country of 2.5 million Israelites is surrounded by vast areas and at least a 100 Arabs for every Jew. Little Israel is like a tiny spot on the map. Every Arab nation has sworn to drive the Jews into the sea. All points to the fulfillment, a great time of suffering. Only those whose names are written in the Book will be saved and their residue will not be cut off. But when these nations are gathering to destroy Israel, the Lord's feet shall touch down on the Mt. of Olives and He will go forth to fight for them as in the day of battle. Romans 11:25-26. When the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, then all Israel will be saved. I don't understand how all this will happen, but I believe the Bible, and all shall come to pass as it is written. Jesus in Luke 21:36: "Watch and pray that ye might be accounted worthy to escape all these things when it shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man." Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away but my Word shall never pass away."

His promises are surer than His natural laws! There are certain things that money can't buy. Money can buy a house but cannot buy a home! Money can buy food but cannot buy an appetite! Money can buy medicine, but not health! Money can buy religion but cannot buy salvation! Money can buy sermons but cannot buy the Gospel! Money can buy the Bible but cannot buy the blessings and the promises given in the Bible! Money can buy knowledge but cannot buy wisdom! Money can buy talk but it cannot buy time. People waste time, serve time, kill time! Kill time! It's not murder; it's suicide! Yet salvation is found within the brackets of time!

Revelation 10 speaks of a mighty angel standing with one foot on the earth and the other foot on the sea, proclaiming with a powerful voice that time is no more. It doesn't mean the end of the world nor of an age. It means time and opportunity are past. It means it's too late to repent and believe the Gospel. Time for repentance is no more. Like clay in the Potter's Hands, can be modeled, fashioned and shaped, but once in the furnace it can never be changed. That's what Revelation 22:11 means: "He that is righteous let him be righteous still, he that is defiled, let him be defiled still." It means: They must remain forever as they are! When we die our spirits return to God and whatever kind of a spirit we might have then, it will be the same for all eternity! No wonder Ecclesiastes 9:10 "Whatsoever your hand findeth to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work, nor device nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest." Even this verse needs to be tempered with the verse that follows. "The race is not to the swift." (It's an obstacle race.) "The battle is not to the strong." (Think of wee David, killing the mighty giant.) "Neither yet bread to the wise." It's revelation, not information. It's divine direction, not human skill. The disciples fished all night and caught nothing! Jesus said, "Cast your net on the right side of the ship!" And they got a great haul of fish, that even the nets began to break. They had to signal to others to come and help. They filled both boats till they began to sink! "Nor riches to men of understanding." Proverbs 13:7 "There is that maketh himself rich and hath nothing! There is he that maketh himself poor and hath great riches." Many hands make light work.

I am writing letters. More than 64 years in the work, so don't expect much of me! I asked Troy Craig, our elder brother, for a job. His answer: "We want you to answer the dinner bell, write letters, and prepare for meetings."  So, I'm getting to spend more time than usual studying the Bible. This is getting long, so must close.  Trust that these lines find you well and encouraged. I will close with every Good Wish in Christ, Your letters are appreciated! !

Donald Karnes

A Little Advice

1. If you want your dreams to come true, don't oversleep.

2. The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention.

3. Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

4. The best vitamin for making friends....B1.

5. The 10 commandments are not multiple choices.

6. The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

7. Minds are like parachutes...they function only when open.

8. Ideas won't work unless YOU do.

9. One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.

10. One who lacks the courage to start has already finished.

11. The heaviest thing to carry is a grudge.

12. Don't learn safety rules by accident.

13. We lie the loudest when we lie to ourselves.

14. Jumping to conclusions can be bad exercise.

15. A turtle makes progress when it sticks its head out.

16. One thing you can give and still keep ...is your word.

17. A friend walks in when everyone else walks out.

18. The pursuit of happiness is: the chase of a lifetime!

For Just A Little While

I always knew I loved you, Mom,
 From the day that I was born;
I just never knew how much
Until after you were gone.

My eyes tear up just thinking
That I never could express
The love for you deep in my heart
And I never will, I guess.

For now you’ve gone to heaven,
Oh, I hate we had to part.
And all the things I should have said
Are locked up in my heart.

I look for you every day
I listen for your voice.
If I could see you just once more
Oh, how I would rejoice!

My lonely soul would sing with joy!
My broken heart would smile!
If God would send you back to me 
For just a little while.

~ Debbie Edmiaston ~

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

 When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you hang my first picture on the refrigerator,
and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought
it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make my favorite cake for me,
and I knew that little things are special things.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I heard you say a prayer,
and I believed there was a God that I
could always talk to.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I felt you kiss me good night,
and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned
that sometimes things hurt,
but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw that you cared and I wanted to be
everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I looked....and now I want to say thanks
for all the things I saw,
when you thought I wasn't looking.

Happy Mother's Day

May all the love
You give to others
Come back to you
On this special day

Have a
Wonderful Mother's Day

Sunshine And Daisies

Sunshine and Daisies

And skies of blue

Wishes of joy

Meant just for you.

This little ditty 

I'm sending your way

In the hope that it just maybe

Will brighten your day!

May all your days be filled with
the brightness of sunshine and
the sweetness of flowers!

An Encouraging Thought