This is powerful stuff!!!!!! I got some serious goosies!
The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first
ministry, to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn, arrived in early
October excited about their opportunities. When they saw their church,
it was very run down and needed much work. They set a goal to have
everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve.
They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc., and
on December 18
were ahead of schedule and just about finished.
On December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm hit the area
and lasted for two days.
On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sank when he
saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20
feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind
the pulpit, beginning about head high.
The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else
to do but postpone
the Christmas Eve service, headed home. On the way he noticed that a
local business was
having a flea market type sale for charity so he stopped in. One of the
items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth
with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the
center. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front
wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.
By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the
opposite direction was trying to catch the bus.. She missed it. The
pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes
later.
She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a
ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The
pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the
entire problem area.
Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was
like a sheet.. "Pastor," she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?"
The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right
corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into it there. They
were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this
tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria.
The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just
gotten the Tablecloth. The woman explained that before the war she and
her husband were well-to-do people in Austria. When the Nazis came, she
was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week.
He was captured, sent to prison and never saw her husband or her home
again.
The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor
keep it for the church.
The pastor insisted on driving her home, that was the least he could
do.. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in
Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.
What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was
almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the
service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many
said that they would return.
One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood
continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered
why he wasn't leaving.
The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall because
it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived
in Austriabefore the war and how
could there be two tablecloths so much alike.
He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee
for her safety and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and
put in a prison.. He never saw his wife or his home again all the 35
years in between.
The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little
ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor
had taken the woman three days earlier.
He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's
apartment, knocked on
the door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever
imagine.
True Story - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid
Who says God does not work in mysterious ways..
I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for
you today, to guide you and protect you as you go
along your way. His love is always with you, His
promises are true, and when we give Him all our
cares you know He will see us through.
So when the road you're traveling on seems
difficult at best.. Just remember I'm here
praying and God will do the rest. Pass this on
to those you want God to bless.
When there is nothing left but God, that is when
you find out that God is all you need. Take 60
seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply
say the following small prayer for the person
who sent you this.
Father, God, bless all my friends and family in what
ever it is that You know they may be needing this
day! May their life be full of your peace,
prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a
closer relationship with you. Amen.
> > that when women make love they produce amounts of
> > the
> >
> > hormone estrogen, which makes hair shine and skin
> > smooth.
> >
> > =============
> > 2. Gentle, relaxed lovemaking reduces your
> > chances of suffering dermatitis, skin rashes
> >
> > and blemishes.. The sweat produced cleanses the
> > pores and makes your skin glow.
> > =============
> > 3. Lovemaking can burn up those calories
> >
> > you piled on during that romantic dinner.
> > =============
> > 4. Sex is one of the safest sports you can take
> > up. It stretches and tones up just about every
> >
> > muscle in the body. It's more enjoyable than
> > swimming 20 laps, and you don't need special
> >
> > sneakers!
> > =============
> > 5. Sex is an instant cure for mild
> > depression. It releases endorphins
> >
> > into the bloodstream, producing a sense
> > of euphoria and leaving you with a feeling
> >
> > of well-being.
> > =============
> > 6. The more sex you have, the more you will be
> > offered. The sexually active body gives off
> >
> > greater quantities of chemicals called pheromones.
> > These subtle sex perfumes drive the opposite sex
> > crazy!
> > =============
> > 7. Sex is the safest tranquilizer in the world.
> > IT IS 10 TIMES MORE EFFECTIVE THAN VALIUM.
> >
> > =============
> > 8. Kissing each day will keep the dentist
> >
> > away. Kissing encourages saliva to wash food
> >
> > from the teeth and lowers the level of the
> > acid that causes decay, preventing plaque
> > build-up.
> > =============
> > 9. Sex actually relieves headaches.
> >
> > A lovemaking session can release the
> > tension that restricts blood vessels
> >
> > in the brain.
> > =============
> > 10. A lot of lovemaking can unblock a stuffy
> > nose. Sex is a natural antihistamine.
> >
> > It can help combat asthma and hay fever.
She’s wondering what clothes to wear
She puts on her make up
And brushes her long blonde hair
And then she asks me
Do I look alright
And I say yes, you look wonderful tonight
And everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady
That’s walking around with me
And then she asks me
Do you feel alright
And I say yes, I feel wonderful tonight
Because I see the love light in your eyes
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don’t realize
How much I love you
And I’ve got an aching head
So I give her the car keys
She helps me to bed
And then I tell her
As I turn out the light
I say my darling, you were wonderful tonight
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight
IT DOES MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD, especially the thought at the end.
1. Falling in love. (I fell in love with you)
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts. (You've done that to me)
3. A hot shower. (We've done that together....probably too hot for you (: )
4. No lines at the supermarket (Whenever we use Fred Meyers fast check out together-what a learning experience-haha)
5. A special glance. (I get those from you every now and then)
6. Getting mail (You probably don't even know my address-haha)
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road. (You make any road pretty)
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio. (We listen to a lot of our favorite songs together.....we might not always like each others, but we listen together)
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside. (That usually only happens in ****** - but lying in bed with you makes me happy whether it's raining or not)
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer. (Especially if it's wrapped around your naked body)
11. Chocolate milkshake (or vanilla or strawberry!) (Or Coldstone with you....or sharing a bowl of ice cream together on the couch)
12. A bubble bath. (We haven't done that together YET)
13. Giggling. (You always make me giggle)
14. A good conversation. (Next question - heehee)
15. The beach (The beach always makes me feel good, I just wish you were with me)
16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter. (You were with me when it happened to me for the first time ever!)
17. Laughing at yourself. (All the time. I am soo funny)
18. Holding a newborn baby. (Let me get back to you in 9 months)
19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours. (Any phone call with you that lasts for hours makes me feel good)
20. Running through sprinklers. (I haven't done that since Arizona - looks like we need to make a trip so we can do that together)
21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all. (I think we do that quite a bit)
22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful. (Honey, you're so beautiful...you tell me everyday and it never gets old. It always makes me smile and feel good)
23. Laughing at an inside joke. (All the time - like your big ol' tongue that only I will know about)
24. Friends. (Always make me feel good, especially you, my best friend)
25. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you. (Happens all the time! from you - you're so sweet)
26. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep. (That would happen with us if you didn't "have a hundred things going through my head" the minute you woke up)
27. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner). (Thinking about that always makes me smile. Gawd, you're such a good kisser!)
28. Making new friends or spending time with old ones. (Always fun - maybe someday you'll spend some time with me and *******)
29. Playing with a new puppy. ((If it said "looking" at a new puppy, I'd say yeah)
30. Having someone play with your hair. (You do that to me and I love it)
31. Sweet dreams. (When they're about you, they're always sweet!)
32. Hot chocolate. (For sure! I just had 3 cups tonight! We need to have hot chocolate together in a ski lodge in front of a fireplace)
33. Road trips with friends. (Like Arizona!!)
34. Swinging on swings. ((We haven't done that together yet)
35. Making eye contact with a cute stranger. (The only time I can remember doing that was with this cute pilot in ****)
36. Making chocolate chip cookies. (mmmm.......chocolate chip cookies or your favorite, oatmeal raisin)
37. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.. (Only GQ. Time for you to step up to the plate! haha)
38. Holding hands with someone you care about. (Yep, holding hands with you is so nice - we fit so perfect, like a puzzle)
39. Running into an old friend and realizing
that some things (good or bad) never change. (Hopefully you never change; you just be you and you will always make me happy)
40. Watching the expression on someone's face
as they open a much desired present from you. (Like your xmas present)
41. Watching the sunrise. (We need to do more of this. Sunsets too)
42. Getting out of bed every morning and
being grateful for another beautiful day. (Especially if you're in the bed beside me!)
43. Knowing that somebody misses you. (Everyday I know you miss me.....I know I sure miss you)
44. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply. (I can't get enough hugs from you! I love 'em)
45. Knowing you've done the right thing,
no matter what other people think. (I'm with you aren't I !)
sorry haven't talked much last 24 hrs. - just been so, so tired. i slept til 930 today, ran, lifted and i feel good being back in my routine. so even tho i still have the sniffles and a little cough i feel like a million bucks.
i just started running live update for norton on this slow, slow desktop, hopefully it takes less than 6 hrs! :)
in case i forget to ask u tonight, --- has a question about hooking up more than one phone to voip. hopefully u have the answer cuz you are the acn almighty.
i hope you're having a good day and getting the hrs you want.
i love you so, so much!
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you honey for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.
I love you forever and ever! xoxoxo
I love you with all my heart.
St. Theresa's Prayer:
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly
where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you....
May you be content knowing you are a child of God....
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the
freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
An elderly couple was attending church services, about halfway through she leans over and says,
"I just had a silent fart, what do you think I should do?"
He replies "put a new battery in your hearing aid."
Last April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday.
Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.
And, there on television, she said it was "exciting." Regarding body
changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts.
They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.
The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest
woman, with so much wisdom in her words!
Maya Angelou said this:
>"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life
>does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."
>
>
>"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she
>handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled
>Christmas tree lights."
>
>
>"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents,
>you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."
>
>
>"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a
>life."
>
>
>"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."
>
>
>"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on
>both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."
>
>"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I
>usually make the right decision."
>
>
>"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."
>
>
>"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
>
>
>People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."
>
>
>"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."
>
>
>"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget
>what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
>
> Hung Chow calls into work and says, "Boss I no come work today, I real
> sick. Got headache, stomach ache and legs hurt, I no come work."
>
> The boss says, "You know Hung Chow, I really need you today. When I
> feel like this I go to my wife and tell her give me sex. That makes
> everything better and I go work. You try that."
>
> Two hours later Hung Chow calls again. "Boss, I do what you say and I
> feel great. I be at work soon..... You got nice house."
>
> May you never look at a cup of coffee the same
> way again!
>
> A young woman went to her mother and told her about
> her life and how things were so hard for her. She
> did not know how she was going to make it and wanted
> to give up. She was tired of fighting and
> struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a
> new one arose.
>
> Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three
> pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon
> the pots came to boil. In the first she placed
> carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the
> last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them
> sit and boil, without saying a word.
>
> In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.
> She fished the carrots out and placed them in a
> bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a
> bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it
> in a bowl. Turning! to her daughter, she asked,
> "Tell me what you see."
>
> "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
>
> Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel
> the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.
> The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg
> and break it. After pulling off the shell, she
> observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the mother
> asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter
> smiled as she tasted its richness and savored its
> aroma.
>
> The daughter then asked, "What does it mean,
> mother?"
>
> Her mother explained that each of these objects had
> faced the same adversity - boiling water. Each
> reacted differently.
>
>
>
> The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting.
> However, after being subjected to the boiling water,
> it softened and became weak.
>
> The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had
> protected its liquid interior, but after sitting
> through the boiling water, its inside became
> hardened.
>
> The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After
> they were in the boiling water, they had changed the
> water.
>
> "Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When
> adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?
> Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
>
>
> Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that
> seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt
> and become soft and lose my strength?
>
> Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but
> changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit,
> but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship
> or some other trial, have I become hardened and
> stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the
> inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and
> hardened heart?
>
> Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually
> changes the hot water, the very circumstance that
> brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it
> releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like
> the bean, when things are at their worst, you get
> even better and change the situation around you.
>
> When the hour is the darkest and trials are their
> greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?
> How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an
> egg or a coffee bean?
>
> May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,
> enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to
> keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
>
> The happiest of people don't necessarily have the
> best of everything; they just make the most of
> everything that comes along their way. The brightest
> future will always be based on a forgotten past; you
> can't go forward in life until you let go of your
> past failures and heartaches.
>
> When you were born, you were crying and everyone
> around you was smiling. Live your life so at the
> end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone
> around you is crying.
>
> You might want to send this message to those people
> who mean something to you (I JUST DID); to those who
> have touched your life in one way or another; to
> those who make you smile when you really need it; to
> those who ma! ke you see the brighter side of things
> when you are really down; to th ose whose
> friendships you appreciate; to those who are so
> meaningful in your life. If you don't send it, you
> will just miss out on the opportunity to brighten
> someone's day with this message!
>
>
>
> May we all be COFFEE!
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