The First Christmas
In these hard economic times, we are much
closer to the humble First Christmas and it's genuine meaning. I
don't know how it is in the Philippines lately but for the last years,
you can feel the commercialism on X'mas season here in America. Malls
are open till midnight and always full, credit cards are swiped so many
times, kids are happy for their gifts. There is nothing wrong with
that!
But there is nothing wrong with the sample
from God to choose the simplicity and humility of the stable as His Son's
birthplace. Humble as it is, yet there was joy in Joseph and Mary's
heart. The shepherd around the stable was happy to see the little
One. There's happiness in the hearts of the 3 kings who came to visit
the poor stable to offer their gifts. It was an animal's abode but
it felt like a palace to them.
We can go with the flow and feel miserable
if we cannot get the best gifts for our loved ones. Or we can laugh
and be merry with a simple greeting calls from a friend rather than the
latest cell phone. A Christmas artwork from our kids rather than
the 60 inch TV. Or a used bike rather than the latest SUV.
Happiness does not have to be expensive. God can afford the most
expensive place yet he has chosen the stable.
If you think you're a victim of bad economy,
look at the man on the street................ and while you are looking,
maybe you can spare a loaf of bread or a can of soup. Who knows,
that might be the little Christ knocking at your door asking for your little
room as his birthplace.......
From Val
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***TIME***
To realize the value of one year:
Ask a student who has failed a final exam.
To realize the value of one month:
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of one hour:
Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of one minute:
Ask the person who has missed the train, bus, or plane.
To realize the value of a second:
Ask the person who has survived an accident.
To realize the value of one milisecond:
Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.
Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have.
Forwarded by Dana
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Harsh Words Spoken
I ran into a stranger as he passed by, "Oh excuse me please",
was my reply.
He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.
But at home a different story is told,
How we treat or loved ones, young and old.
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.
He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said,
"While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use,
But the children you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
And you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."
By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.
"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue"
I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you anyway."
I said, "Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially
the
blue."
Are you aware that: If we die tomorrow, the company that we are
working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But
the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their
lives. And come to think of it, we pour
ourselves more into work than to our own family is an unwise
investment indeed.
Do you know what the word FAMILY means?
FAMILY=(F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER, (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU!
Fill life with love and bravery and we shall live a life uncommon.
Forwarded by Raul De Guzman
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I AM THANKFUL...
FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE THAT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME NOT ON THE STREETS
>>
FOR THE TAXES THAT I PAY,
BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT I AM EMPLOYED.
>>
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT I HAVE BEEN
SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
>>
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
>>
FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE.
>>
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.
>>
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT,
BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
>>
FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND THAT I HAVE BEEN
BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION
>>
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.
>>
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH THAT SINGS OFF KEY,
BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT I CAN HEAR.
>>
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.
>>
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.
>>
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS,
BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT I AM ALIVE.
>>
AND FINALLY....... FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.
. Forwarded by Dana
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* E-Mail from
GOD *
*********************
Hi!
As you got up this morning, I watched you and
hope you would talk to me , even if it was just a few words, asking my
opinion of thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday
– but I noticed you were busy trying to find the right outfit to put on
and wear to work.
I waited again. When you ran around the house
getting ready I knew there would be a minutes for you to stop and say hello,
but you were too busy. At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes nothing
to do except sit in chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought
you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to
get the latest gossip.
I watched as you went to work and I waited patiently
all day long. With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say
anything to me. I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you
felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn’t bow your head. You
glanced three or four tables over and noticed some of your friends talking
to me briefly before they ate, but you didn’t. That’s okay. There is still
more time left, and I have hope that you will talk to me, yet you went
home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them
were done you turned on the TV, I don’t know if you like TV or not, just
about anything goes there & you spent a lot of time each day in front
of it, not thinking about anything – just enjoying the show. I waited patiently
again as you watched the TV and ate your meal but again you didn’t talk
to me. Bedtime…I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to
your family you plopped into and fell asleep in no time. That’s okay because
you may not realize that I am always there for you. I’ve got patience more
than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with
others as well.
I love you so much that I wait everyday for a
nod, prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to
have a one-sided conversation. Well you are getting up again and once again
I will wait with nothing but love for you hoping that today you will give
me some time. Have a nice day!
Your friend,
GOD
Forwarded by Nell
Wise Words
______________________________
The Gift of Words
______________________________
We commonly think the greatest way we can help
others
is with tangible gifts of food, clothing, or
money.
But words are gifts, too.
Words of comfort, encouragement, and inspiration
bless
both the speaker abd the hearer.
And they can reside in the mind a long time.
Mark Twain once said, "I can live two months on
a good
compliment."
by Dr. Dale E. Turner
__________________________
From Tess
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Friends that Pray together, stay together.
Let's pray...
Dear Lord,
I thank You for this day.
I Thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You
have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day
for I have sinned.
I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Keep me safe from all danger and harm.
Let me start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day and give my best in all that
is put before me.
Clear my mind that I can hear You.
Broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and
whimper over things I have no control over.
Let me continue to see sin
through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil.
And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing,
and receive the forgiveness of God.
And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example-to
slip away and find a quiet place to pray.
It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that
when I can't pray, You listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Thy Will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.
Keep me strong that I may help the weak and unsaved.
Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.
I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way.
I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood.
I pray for those who refuse to share a word from You.
I pray for those who don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that will only read this and not speak this aloud
in
their own lives.
I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others.
I pray for those that don't believe.
I believe that God changes people and God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers, for each and every family member
in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes, that they are out of
debt & all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem,
circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is
in His
hands for Him to fight.
I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that
sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly.
This is my prayer. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Forwarded by Perlie
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