Wednesday, January 30, 2013

RETARDED GRANDPARENTS


           *After Christmas, a teacher asked her young pupils how they *

           *spent their holiday away from school. *

           *One child wrote the following: *

           *We  always used to spend the Christmas holidays with
           Grandma and Grandpa. *

           *They  used to live in a big brick house but Grandpa got
           retarded and they moved to Batemans Bay where everyone lives
           in nice little houses, and so they don't have to mow the
           grass anymore! *

           *They ride around on their bicycles and scooters and wear
           name tags because they don't know who they are anymore. *

           *They  go to a building called a wreck centre, but they must
           have got it fixed because it is all okay now. They do
           exercises there, but they don't do them very well. *

           *There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down
           in it with hats on. *

           *At  their gate, there is a doll house with a little old man
           sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape.
           Sometimes they sneak out, and go cruising in their golf carts! *

           *Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. *

           *And, they eat the same thing every night --- early birds. *

           *Some of the people can't get out past the man in the doll
           house. *

           *The  ones who do get out, bring food back to the wrecked
           center for pot luck. *

           *My Grandma says that Grandpa worked all his life to earn
           his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be
           retarded someday too. *

           *When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll
           house. *

           *Then I will let people out, so they can visit their
           grandchildren. *

           *PRICELESS! *


(thank you, Elaine L)

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Prayer Each Day - Start the Day Over

 from a daily devotional a friend sends me -

Dear Lord, Bless each and every one who reads your words of wisdom today and everyday---Please help us understand your ways and let us make a better day each day of the year.

                Most likely we will stumble throughout the day—but if you can take time out to pray and ask God, to help you start a new fresh day—even if it’s 3 o’clock in the afternoon…it will help you have a better day.  It’s like when a new year rolls around, we celebrate the occasion, hoping for a way to bury the past and start a new future.  IF that fails, we may start the cycle all over again.

                But Jesus in His great love creates for us a new year every day.  His compassions and mercies are fresh gifts daily, inviting us to start the day—and life—new with His mind and  perspective.  Like manna from heaven, every new day brings a fresh batch of hope from the Father’s own hand.

Faith Step:  In what circumstances do you need a new beginning?  Each day as you arise, thank Jesus that He has given you a brand-new morning.  Then ask Him to show you His mind and perspective throughout the day.

Friday, January 4, 2013

A Prayer Each Day - Willingness to Serve

When Jesus humbled Himself and became a servant, He also became an example for me.  Make me a faithful steward of my gifts, and let me be a humble servant to my loved ones, to my friends, and to those in need. 

For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.   John 13:15

We live in a world that glorifies power, prestige, fame and money.  But the words of Jesus teach us that the most esteemed men are not the widely acclaimed leaders of society; the most esteemed among us are the humble servants of society. 

Every single day of your life, including this one, God will give you opportunities to serve Him by serving other people.  Always be willing to pitch in and make the world a better place, and forego the temptation to keep all your blessings to yourself.  When you do you’ll earn rewards that are simple unavailable to folks who stubbornly refuse to serve.

In the great orchestra we call life, you have an instrument and a song, and you owe it to God to play them both sublimely.   Max Lucado

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Prayer Each Day - Controlling Your Thoughts

Controlling Your Thoughts


Dear Lord, I will focus on Your love, Your power, Your promises, and You Son.  When I am weak, I will turn to You for strength; when I am worried, I will turn to You for comfort:  when I am troubled, I will turn to You for patience and perspective.  Help me guard my thoughts, Lord, so that I may honor You this day and forever.  Amen

Therefore, get your minds ready for action, being self-disciplined, and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 1:13

Here’s a proven way to improve your life;  learn to control the direction of your thoughts.  Your thoughts, of course, are intensely powerful things.  Your thoughts have the power to life you up or drag you down.

How will you and your family members direct your thoughts today?  Will you obey the words of Philippians 4:8 by dwelling upon those things that are honorable, true and worthy of praise?  Or will you allow your thoughts to be hijacked by the negativity that seems to dominate our troubled world? 

The mind is like a clock that is constantly running down.  It has to be wound up daily with good thoughts.  Fulton J. Sheen

Your thoughts are the determining factors as to whose mold you are conformed to.  Control your thoughts and your control the direction of your life.  Charles Stanley.