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The Ragman
- Thread starter FineLinen
- Start date
BaBiDaNsTaR
MaGaZiNa, ISsUe 16!
Yeah well, that's the whole point. Like you see I like dancing and cheerleading and everything but I'm not like one of those *how do you call* "girly girls."
You know they are constantly into boys saying they did this this and that and I just sit there like "who cares...never had a boyfriend...don't care much.." and constantly into makeup--yeah I care a little about how I look but I don't spring to a mirror or to the bathroom every 15mins and I don't bring a blow dryer or hairspray in my purse--oh wow if I even had a purse.
But still ya know some of the girls are nice but it's the "snobby" ones that give cheerleaders etc. bad names.
You know they are constantly into boys saying they did this this and that and I just sit there like "who cares...never had a boyfriend...don't care much.." and constantly into makeup--yeah I care a little about how I look but I don't spring to a mirror or to the bathroom every 15mins and I don't bring a blow dryer or hairspray in my purse--oh wow if I even had a purse.
But still ya know some of the girls are nice but it's the "snobby" ones that give cheerleaders etc. bad names.
Upvote
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A Story To Live By (By Ann Wells...Los Angeles Times)
My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau
and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package.
"This," he said, "is not a slip. This is lingerie." He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip.
It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The
price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. "Jan
bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago.
She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion.
Well, I guess this is the occasion." He took the slip from me and put it
on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His
hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the
drawer shut and turned to me.
"Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you're alive is a special occasion."
I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that
followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores
that follow an unexpected death. I thought about them on the plane
returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister's
family lives. I thought about all the things that she hadn't seen or heard
or done. I thought about the things that she had done without realizing
that they were special. I'm still thinking about his words, and they've
changed my life. I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting on the
deck and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden.
I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time in
committee meetings.
Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to
savour, not endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them. I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market if I like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries without wincing. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my partygoing friends.
"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
I'm not sure what my sister would've done had she known that she
wouldn't be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. I think
she would have called family members and a few close friends. She might
have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences or past
squabbles. I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner,
her favorite food. I'm guessing - I'll never know. It's those little
things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were
limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to
get in touch with - someday. Angry because I hadn't written certain
letters that I intended to write - one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I truly love them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything
that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I
open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute,
every breath truly is... a gift from God.
My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau
and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package.
"This," he said, "is not a slip. This is lingerie." He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip.
It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The
price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. "Jan
bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago.
She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion.
Well, I guess this is the occasion." He took the slip from me and put it
on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His
hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the
drawer shut and turned to me.
"Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you're alive is a special occasion."
I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that
followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores
that follow an unexpected death. I thought about them on the plane
returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister's
family lives. I thought about all the things that she hadn't seen or heard
or done. I thought about the things that she had done without realizing
that they were special. I'm still thinking about his words, and they've
changed my life. I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting on the
deck and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden.
I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time in
committee meetings.
Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to
savour, not endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them. I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market if I like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries without wincing. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my partygoing friends.
"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
I'm not sure what my sister would've done had she known that she
wouldn't be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. I think
she would have called family members and a few close friends. She might
have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences or past
squabbles. I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner,
her favorite food. I'm guessing - I'll never know. It's those little
things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were
limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to
get in touch with - someday. Angry because I hadn't written certain
letters that I intended to write - one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I truly love them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything
that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I
open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute,
every breath truly is... a gift from God.
Upvote
0
The Circus (Author Unknown)
Once when I was a teenager, my father and I were standing in line to buy tickets for the circus. Finally, there was only one family between us and the ticket counter.
This family made a big impression on me. There were eight children, all probably under the age of 12. You could tell they didn't have a lot of money. Their clothes were not expensive, but they were clean. The children were well-behaved, all of them standing in line, two-by- two behind their parents, holding hands.
They were excitedly jabbering about the clowns, elephants and other acts they would see that night. One could sense they had never been to the circus before. It promised to be a highlight of their young lives.
The father and mother were at the head of the pack standing proud as could be. The mother was holding her husband's hand, looking up at him as if to say, "You're my knight in shining armor." He was smiling and basking in pride, looking at her as if to reply, "You got that right."
The ticket lady asked the father how many tickets he wanted. He proudly responded, "Please let me buy eight children's tickets and two adult tickets so I can take my family to the circus." The ticket lady quoted the price.
The man's wife let go of his hand, her head dropped, the man's lip began to quiver. The father leaned a little closer and asked, "How much did you say?"
The ticket lady again quoted the price.
The man didn't have enough money.
How was he supposed to turn and tell his eight kids that he didn't have enough money to take them to the circus?
Seeing what was going on, my dad put his hand into his pocket, pulled out a $20 bill and dropped it on the ground. (We were not wealthy in any sense of the word!)
My father reached down, picked up the bill, tapped the man on the shoulder and said, "Excuse me, sir, this fell out of your pocket."
The man knew what was going on. He wasn't begging for a handout but certainly appreciated the help in a desperate, heartbreaking, embarrassing situation. He looked straight into my dad's eyes, took my dad's hand in both of his, squeezed tightly onto the $20 bill, and with his lip quivering and a tear streaming down his cheek, he replied, "Thank you, thank you, sir. This really means a lot to me and my family."
My father and I went back to our car and drove home. We didn't go to the circus that night, but we didn't go without.
"....this love of which I speak is slow to lose patience--it looks for a way of being constructive....it is never anxious to impress, nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance....is never rude, does not pursue selfish aims....it is not touchy. It does not keep a count of evil, takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but joyfully sides with the truth, has unquenchable faith, bears up under anything, knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, hopes under all circumstances, endures without limit. Love will never come to an end..."
Once when I was a teenager, my father and I were standing in line to buy tickets for the circus. Finally, there was only one family between us and the ticket counter.
This family made a big impression on me. There were eight children, all probably under the age of 12. You could tell they didn't have a lot of money. Their clothes were not expensive, but they were clean. The children were well-behaved, all of them standing in line, two-by- two behind their parents, holding hands.
They were excitedly jabbering about the clowns, elephants and other acts they would see that night. One could sense they had never been to the circus before. It promised to be a highlight of their young lives.
The father and mother were at the head of the pack standing proud as could be. The mother was holding her husband's hand, looking up at him as if to say, "You're my knight in shining armor." He was smiling and basking in pride, looking at her as if to reply, "You got that right."
The ticket lady asked the father how many tickets he wanted. He proudly responded, "Please let me buy eight children's tickets and two adult tickets so I can take my family to the circus." The ticket lady quoted the price.
The man's wife let go of his hand, her head dropped, the man's lip began to quiver. The father leaned a little closer and asked, "How much did you say?"
The ticket lady again quoted the price.
The man didn't have enough money.
How was he supposed to turn and tell his eight kids that he didn't have enough money to take them to the circus?
Seeing what was going on, my dad put his hand into his pocket, pulled out a $20 bill and dropped it on the ground. (We were not wealthy in any sense of the word!)
My father reached down, picked up the bill, tapped the man on the shoulder and said, "Excuse me, sir, this fell out of your pocket."
The man knew what was going on. He wasn't begging for a handout but certainly appreciated the help in a desperate, heartbreaking, embarrassing situation. He looked straight into my dad's eyes, took my dad's hand in both of his, squeezed tightly onto the $20 bill, and with his lip quivering and a tear streaming down his cheek, he replied, "Thank you, thank you, sir. This really means a lot to me and my family."
My father and I went back to our car and drove home. We didn't go to the circus that night, but we didn't go without.
"....this love of which I speak is slow to lose patience--it looks for a way of being constructive....it is never anxious to impress, nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance....is never rude, does not pursue selfish aims....it is not touchy. It does not keep a count of evil, takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but joyfully sides with the truth, has unquenchable faith, bears up under anything, knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, hopes under all circumstances, endures without limit. Love will never come to an end..."
Upvote
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Awesome! Is that translation of 1 Cor 13 from a translation of the Bible or is it from the mind of FineLinen? hehe
Because I like it a lot!!!
Because I like it a lot!!!
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Superman....My friend, there is little that flows from the mind of FineLinen at this old, old age of the "golden years."
I cannot tell a lie, the translation is the new FineLinen translation taken from 30 translations of the Holy Scriptures combined to present one glorious and Awesome God. I am pleased you enjoyed it.
Nothing but the Truth!
David Casstevens of the Dallas Morning News tells a story about Frank
Szymanski, a Notre Dame center in the 1940s, who had been called as a
witness in a civil suit at South Bend.
"Are you on the Notre Dame football team this year?" the judge asked.
"Yes, Your Honor."
"What position?"
"Center, Your Honor."
"How good a center?"
Szymanski squirmed in his seat, but said firmly: "Sir, I'm the best center
Notre Dame has ever had."
Coach Frank Leahy, who was in the courtroom, was surprised. Szymanski always had been modest and unassuming. So when the proceedings were over, he took Szymanski aside and asked why he had made such a statement. Szymanski blushed.
"I hated to do it, Coach," he said. "But, after all, I was under oath."
Behold the Lord upon His throne
His face is shining like the sun
With eyes blazing fire and feet glowing bronze
His voice like mighty waters roars
Holy, holy Lord God Almighty
Holy, holy we stand in awe of You.
I cannot tell a lie, the translation is the new FineLinen translation taken from 30 translations of the Holy Scriptures combined to present one glorious and Awesome God. I am pleased you enjoyed it.
Nothing but the Truth!
David Casstevens of the Dallas Morning News tells a story about Frank
Szymanski, a Notre Dame center in the 1940s, who had been called as a
witness in a civil suit at South Bend.
"Are you on the Notre Dame football team this year?" the judge asked.
"Yes, Your Honor."
"What position?"
"Center, Your Honor."
"How good a center?"
Szymanski squirmed in his seat, but said firmly: "Sir, I'm the best center
Notre Dame has ever had."
Coach Frank Leahy, who was in the courtroom, was surprised. Szymanski always had been modest and unassuming. So when the proceedings were over, he took Szymanski aside and asked why he had made such a statement. Szymanski blushed.
"I hated to do it, Coach," he said. "But, after all, I was under oath."
Behold the Lord upon His throne
His face is shining like the sun
With eyes blazing fire and feet glowing bronze
His voice like mighty waters roars
Holy, holy Lord God Almighty
Holy, holy we stand in awe of You.
Upvote
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Ugly (Author Unknown)
Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love.
One Ugly Cat!
The combination of these things combined with a life spent
outside had their effect on Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot has appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look
like he was always turning the corner.
His tail has long age been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch. Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, and even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction.
"That's one UGLY cat!!"
All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave.
Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness.
Begging For Love
Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing
frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If ever someone picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbors huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly's sad life was almost at an end.
Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling.
I must be hurting him terribly I thought. Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear.
Just A Little Love
Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled scarred cat was asking only for a little
affection, perhaps some compassion.
At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.
Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly.
Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply.
To give my total to those I cared for. Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.
Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love.
One Ugly Cat!
The combination of these things combined with a life spent
outside had their effect on Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot has appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look
like he was always turning the corner.
His tail has long age been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch. Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, and even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction.
"That's one UGLY cat!!"
All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave.
Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness.
Begging For Love
Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing
frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If ever someone picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbors huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly's sad life was almost at an end.
Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling.
I must be hurting him terribly I thought. Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear.
Just A Little Love
Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled scarred cat was asking only for a little
affection, perhaps some compassion.
At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.
Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly.
Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply.
To give my total to those I cared for. Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.
Upvote
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Things to Remember
I find what I look for in people. If I look for God, I find God. If I look
for bad qualities, I find them. I, in a sense, select what I expect, and I receive it.
A life without challenges would be like going to school without lessons to
learn. Challenges come not to depress or get me down, but to master and to grow and to unfold thereby.
In the Father's wise and loving plan for me, no burden can fall upon me, no emergency can arise, no grief can overtake me, before I am given the grace and strength to meet them.
A rich, full life is not determined by outer circumstances and relationships. These can be contributory to it, but cannot be the source. I am happy or unhappy because of what I think and feel.
I can never lose anything that belongs to me, nor can I posses what is not
really mine.
To never run from a problem: either it will chase me or I will run into
another just like it, although it may have a different face or name.
To have no concern for tomorrow. Today is the yesterday over which I had
concern.
To never bang on a closed door: Wait for it to open and then go through it.
A person who has come into my life has come either to teach me something, or to learn something from me.
I find what I look for in people. If I look for God, I find God. If I look
for bad qualities, I find them. I, in a sense, select what I expect, and I receive it.
A life without challenges would be like going to school without lessons to
learn. Challenges come not to depress or get me down, but to master and to grow and to unfold thereby.
In the Father's wise and loving plan for me, no burden can fall upon me, no emergency can arise, no grief can overtake me, before I am given the grace and strength to meet them.
A rich, full life is not determined by outer circumstances and relationships. These can be contributory to it, but cannot be the source. I am happy or unhappy because of what I think and feel.
I can never lose anything that belongs to me, nor can I posses what is not
really mine.
To never run from a problem: either it will chase me or I will run into
another just like it, although it may have a different face or name.
To have no concern for tomorrow. Today is the yesterday over which I had
concern.
To never bang on a closed door: Wait for it to open and then go through it.
A person who has come into my life has come either to teach me something, or to learn something from me.
Upvote
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Do We Have As Much Sense As A Goose?
On the premise that by observing God's hand in nature, we can gain some basic truths for ourselves:
This fall when you see geese heading back south for the winter flying in a "V" formation, you might be interested in knowing what scientists have discovered about why they fly that way.
It has been 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% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
Basic Truth #1
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they want to go quicker and easier by traveling on the trust of one another.
When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.
Basic Truth #2
It pays to take turns doing hard jobs.
The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Basic Truth #3
If we want help from those out in front of us, we will encourage them to keep doing a good job.
Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gun shot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to protect him.
They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and then they launch out with another formation.
Basic Truth #4
Great things can be accomplished when we work with and help one another.
On the premise that by observing God's hand in nature, we can gain some basic truths for ourselves:
This fall when you see geese heading back south for the winter flying in a "V" formation, you might be interested in knowing what scientists have discovered about why they fly that way.
It has been 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% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
Basic Truth #1
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they want to go quicker and easier by traveling on the trust of one another.
When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.
Basic Truth #2
It pays to take turns doing hard jobs.
The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Basic Truth #3
If we want help from those out in front of us, we will encourage them to keep doing a good job.
Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gun shot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to protect him.
They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and then they launch out with another formation.
Basic Truth #4
Great things can be accomplished when we work with and help one another.
Upvote
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Shake It Off And Step Up
This parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule praying or whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving.
Instead, he called his neighbors together, told them what had happened, and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.
Initially the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, he would shake it off and step up!
This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!" He repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!
It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like it would bury him actually helped him . . . all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.
That's life! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity.
The adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the very real potential to benefit us!
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.
This parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule praying or whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving.
Instead, he called his neighbors together, told them what had happened, and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.
Initially the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, he would shake it off and step up!
This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!" He repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!
It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like it would bury him actually helped him . . . all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.
That's life! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity.
The adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the very real potential to benefit us!
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.
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Father's Day (Author Unknown)
This past Saturday I was helping my uncle and aunt with their yard sale. My uncle likes to go to estate auctions and if a box of books goes cheap enough, he buys them. He gives most of them away, and had asked me to go through the books and pull out the inspirational and religious books to be put in a box that said "Free."
For some reason I was drawn to open this one small book. I can't even tell you what the title was, I don't remember, because I saw that a name had been written along with the name of a town not too far away. What stunned me was that this book, which was over 40 years old, had belonged to the daughter of a lady in my church. She was the only child the lady had ever had, and she was killed in a car accident over 30 years ago! The only reason I had recognized the name is because I had gone to a ladies night out at our church a few weeks ago and this woman had given her testimony and told her how God had helped her recover from losing her only child. Her daughter was only 25 and six weeks away from her wedding when she was tragically killed.
Of course, as soon as the yard sale was over I ran over to their home to give them their daughter's book. Her husband was the only one home. I gave it to him and he opened it and saw her name and his eyes filled with tears. I was worried that I had upset him, and started apologizing, and he cut me off with, "No, it's all right, it's just that I was sitting here thinking about my little girl and how hard it was going to be to go through another Father's Day without her." "Well," I said, "It looks like she was thinking of you, too, because she sent you this Father's Day present!" Their daughter had donated that book in a book drive a year or two before her death. Somehow, over the 30 years since then, the book had traveled hither and yon and finally made it to someone who knew about the girl who had died so many years ago.
Coincidence? No. Or a gift to a grieving father on Father's Day from Heaven? I just thank God not only for still being in the miracle business, but allowing average people like me to be a part of His healing work.
This past Saturday I was helping my uncle and aunt with their yard sale. My uncle likes to go to estate auctions and if a box of books goes cheap enough, he buys them. He gives most of them away, and had asked me to go through the books and pull out the inspirational and religious books to be put in a box that said "Free."
For some reason I was drawn to open this one small book. I can't even tell you what the title was, I don't remember, because I saw that a name had been written along with the name of a town not too far away. What stunned me was that this book, which was over 40 years old, had belonged to the daughter of a lady in my church. She was the only child the lady had ever had, and she was killed in a car accident over 30 years ago! The only reason I had recognized the name is because I had gone to a ladies night out at our church a few weeks ago and this woman had given her testimony and told her how God had helped her recover from losing her only child. Her daughter was only 25 and six weeks away from her wedding when she was tragically killed.
Of course, as soon as the yard sale was over I ran over to their home to give them their daughter's book. Her husband was the only one home. I gave it to him and he opened it and saw her name and his eyes filled with tears. I was worried that I had upset him, and started apologizing, and he cut me off with, "No, it's all right, it's just that I was sitting here thinking about my little girl and how hard it was going to be to go through another Father's Day without her." "Well," I said, "It looks like she was thinking of you, too, because she sent you this Father's Day present!" Their daughter had donated that book in a book drive a year or two before her death. Somehow, over the 30 years since then, the book had traveled hither and yon and finally made it to someone who knew about the girl who had died so many years ago.
Coincidence? No. Or a gift to a grieving father on Father's Day from Heaven? I just thank God not only for still being in the miracle business, but allowing average people like me to be a part of His healing work.
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Harvard
A lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in a homespun
threadbare suit, stepped off the train in Boston, and walked timidly
without an appointment into the president of Harvard's outer office.
The secretary could tell in a moment that such backwoods country folks had no business at Harvard and probably didn't even deserve to be in
Cambridge. She frowned.
"We want to see the president, "the man said softly.
"He'll be busy all day," the secretary snapped.
"We'll wait," the lady replied.
For hours, the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would
finally become discouraged and go away. They didn't. And the secretary
grew frustrated and finally decided to disturb the president, even though
it was a chore she always regretted to do.
"Maybe if they just see you for a few minutes, they'll leave, "she told
him.
He sighed in exasperation and nodded. Someone of his importance
obviously didn't have the time to spend with them, but he detested gingham and homespun suits cluttering his office.
The president, stern-faced with dignity, strutted toward the couple. The
lady told him, "We had a son that attended Harvard for one year. He loved
Harvard, and was very happy here. But about a year ago, he was
accidentally killed. And my husband and I would like to erect a memorial
to him somewhere on campus. "
The president wasn't touched, he was shocked.
"Madam," he said gruffly, "we can't put up a statue for every person who
attended Harvard and died. If we did, this place would look like a
cemetery."
"Oh, no" the lady explained quickly, "we don't want to erect a statue. We
thought we would give a building to Harvard." The president rolled his
eyes. He glanced at the gingham dress and homespun suit, then exclaimed,
"A building!! Do you have any earthly idea how much a building costs? We
have over seven and a half million dollars in the physical plant at
Harvard!!"
For a moment the lady was silent. The president was pleased. He could get
rid of them now. The lady turned to her husband and said quietly, "Is that
all it costs to start a university? Why don't we just start our own?" Her
husband nodded. The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment.
Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, CA where
they established the University that bears their name...a memorial to a
son that Harvard no longer cared about.
"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who
can do nothing for them or to them."
(Malcolm Forbes)
A lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in a homespun
threadbare suit, stepped off the train in Boston, and walked timidly
without an appointment into the president of Harvard's outer office.
The secretary could tell in a moment that such backwoods country folks had no business at Harvard and probably didn't even deserve to be in
Cambridge. She frowned.
"We want to see the president, "the man said softly.
"He'll be busy all day," the secretary snapped.
"We'll wait," the lady replied.
For hours, the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would
finally become discouraged and go away. They didn't. And the secretary
grew frustrated and finally decided to disturb the president, even though
it was a chore she always regretted to do.
"Maybe if they just see you for a few minutes, they'll leave, "she told
him.
He sighed in exasperation and nodded. Someone of his importance
obviously didn't have the time to spend with them, but he detested gingham and homespun suits cluttering his office.
The president, stern-faced with dignity, strutted toward the couple. The
lady told him, "We had a son that attended Harvard for one year. He loved
Harvard, and was very happy here. But about a year ago, he was
accidentally killed. And my husband and I would like to erect a memorial
to him somewhere on campus. "
The president wasn't touched, he was shocked.
"Madam," he said gruffly, "we can't put up a statue for every person who
attended Harvard and died. If we did, this place would look like a
cemetery."
"Oh, no" the lady explained quickly, "we don't want to erect a statue. We
thought we would give a building to Harvard." The president rolled his
eyes. He glanced at the gingham dress and homespun suit, then exclaimed,
"A building!! Do you have any earthly idea how much a building costs? We
have over seven and a half million dollars in the physical plant at
Harvard!!"
For a moment the lady was silent. The president was pleased. He could get
rid of them now. The lady turned to her husband and said quietly, "Is that
all it costs to start a university? Why don't we just start our own?" Her
husband nodded. The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment.
Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, CA where
they established the University that bears their name...a memorial to a
son that Harvard no longer cared about.
"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who
can do nothing for them or to them."
(Malcolm Forbes)
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I Tried To Climb The Mountain Today
I tried to climb the mountain today. As I inched my way
up the path, I felt overwhelmed, so I had to turn back.
I tried to climb the mountain today. On my journey, darkness
started to fall, and I was full of fear, so I had to return to
a safe place.
I was ready to climb the mountain today. But it was so hot outside, I thought I better stay in my nice air-conditioned house and rest up for tomorrow's attempt.
I was about to climb the mountain today. But I had so many other things to do, so instead of climbing the mountain I took care of much more important tasks. I washed my car, mowed the grass and watched the big game. Today the mountain will just have to wait.
I was going to climb the mountain today. But as I stared at the mountain in it's majestic beauty, I knew I stood no chance of making it to the top, so I figured why even bother trying.
I have forgotten about climbing the mountain today; until a friend came by and asked me what I was up to lately. I told him I was thinking about climbing that mountain some day. I went on and on about how I was going to accomplish this task.
Finally, he said, "I just got back from climbing the mountain. For the longest time I told myself I was trying to climb the mountain but never made any progress. I almost let the dream of making it to the top die. I came up with every excuse of why I could not make it up the mountain, but never once did I give myself a reason why I could. One day as I stared at the mountain and pondered, I realized that if I didn't make an attempt at this dream all my dreams will eventually die."
"The next morning, I started my climb." He continued, "It was
not easy, and at times I wanted to quit. But no matter what I
faced, I placed one foot in front of the other, keeping a
steady pace. When the wind tried to blow me over the edge,
I kept walking. When the voices inside my head screamed
"stop!" I focused on my goal never letting it out of sight,
and I kept moving forward. At times, I was ready to quit, but
I knew I had come too far. Time and time again, I reassured
myself that I was going to finish this journey. I struggled
to make it to the top, but I climbed the mountain!"
"I have to be going," my friend said. "Tomorrow is a new day to
accomplish more dreams. By the way, what are you going to do
tomorrow?"
I looked at him, with intensity and confidence in my eyes, and
said, "I have a mountain to climb."
I tried to climb the mountain today. As I inched my way
up the path, I felt overwhelmed, so I had to turn back.
I tried to climb the mountain today. On my journey, darkness
started to fall, and I was full of fear, so I had to return to
a safe place.
I was ready to climb the mountain today. But it was so hot outside, I thought I better stay in my nice air-conditioned house and rest up for tomorrow's attempt.
I was about to climb the mountain today. But I had so many other things to do, so instead of climbing the mountain I took care of much more important tasks. I washed my car, mowed the grass and watched the big game. Today the mountain will just have to wait.
I was going to climb the mountain today. But as I stared at the mountain in it's majestic beauty, I knew I stood no chance of making it to the top, so I figured why even bother trying.
I have forgotten about climbing the mountain today; until a friend came by and asked me what I was up to lately. I told him I was thinking about climbing that mountain some day. I went on and on about how I was going to accomplish this task.
Finally, he said, "I just got back from climbing the mountain. For the longest time I told myself I was trying to climb the mountain but never made any progress. I almost let the dream of making it to the top die. I came up with every excuse of why I could not make it up the mountain, but never once did I give myself a reason why I could. One day as I stared at the mountain and pondered, I realized that if I didn't make an attempt at this dream all my dreams will eventually die."
"The next morning, I started my climb." He continued, "It was
not easy, and at times I wanted to quit. But no matter what I
faced, I placed one foot in front of the other, keeping a
steady pace. When the wind tried to blow me over the edge,
I kept walking. When the voices inside my head screamed
"stop!" I focused on my goal never letting it out of sight,
and I kept moving forward. At times, I was ready to quit, but
I knew I had come too far. Time and time again, I reassured
myself that I was going to finish this journey. I struggled
to make it to the top, but I climbed the mountain!"
"I have to be going," my friend said. "Tomorrow is a new day to
accomplish more dreams. By the way, what are you going to do
tomorrow?"
I looked at him, with intensity and confidence in my eyes, and
said, "I have a mountain to climb."
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These are all feelings I have when I visit this thread. I mean WOW! 
FineLinen-You are truly an inspiration. I can whole-heartedly feel the Spirit in this thread and in you. Mrs. Linen has surely been blessed. Thank you so much for your stories, hyper-links, reading referrals and scriptures. More like life's lessons. My husband and I enjoy and learn from them. I cannot wait until I reach 60. If God provides me with 1/2 the great wisdom he has blessed you with, I will be overjoyed.
AnnMercy2-I am so happy that God has given you a new life. I too almost gave in, until God intervened and showed me a new way to life. I also noticed that no one has ever asked you out or said that you were pretty until recently. (Hoping I read this correctly) I did however notice that when you started speaking more with the love of God, people noticed you were pretty. It is not your new job. You are BEAUTIFUL because God has soaked you in his spirit. People can see that. Before you had negative thoughts-not at all Godly-about yourself. Once you opened more to God, people's eyes and yes even yours were opened to the beauty you hold.
BabiDanstar-Wonderful name! Please don't give up your dream. God has given you the gift of dance for a purpose. From a former snotty, clicky cheerleader to you, I apologize for the way they do treat others. I found my life better without them. Use your dance talent for other things. Ever think of performing for the elderly? They love it! Not to mention the fact that you have a very level head for 15. My head was everywhere it wasn't suppose to be at your age.
lbiagm-You were right in all of your. I have gone through boxes of tissues, but it is well worth it.
God bless you all. I feel as if I already know you all.
Your sister in Christ,
Dawn
FineLinen-You are truly an inspiration. I can whole-heartedly feel the Spirit in this thread and in you. Mrs. Linen has surely been blessed. Thank you so much for your stories, hyper-links, reading referrals and scriptures. More like life's lessons. My husband and I enjoy and learn from them. I cannot wait until I reach 60. If God provides me with 1/2 the great wisdom he has blessed you with, I will be overjoyed.
AnnMercy2-I am so happy that God has given you a new life. I too almost gave in, until God intervened and showed me a new way to life. I also noticed that no one has ever asked you out or said that you were pretty until recently. (Hoping I read this correctly) I did however notice that when you started speaking more with the love of God, people noticed you were pretty. It is not your new job. You are BEAUTIFUL because God has soaked you in his spirit. People can see that. Before you had negative thoughts-not at all Godly-about yourself. Once you opened more to God, people's eyes and yes even yours were opened to the beauty you hold.
BabiDanstar-Wonderful name! Please don't give up your dream. God has given you the gift of dance for a purpose. From a former snotty, clicky cheerleader to you, I apologize for the way they do treat others. I found my life better without them. Use your dance talent for other things. Ever think of performing for the elderly? They love it! Not to mention the fact that you have a very level head for 15. My head was everywhere it wasn't suppose to be at your age.
lbiagm-You were right in all of your
. I have gone through boxes of tissues, but it is well worth it. God bless you all. I feel as if I already know you all.
Your sister in Christ,
Dawn
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4HimILive....well you dear sweet woman what kind misplaced words indeed. I am pleased you and your husband have enjoyed the stories and jokes and miscellaneous bits of "wisdom." I will be gone for a couple of days and thought perhaps today we could have a little song and a few pictures to watch. Turn on your audio, sit back and enjoy. In His glorious love and grace, David
Smiles
http://www.lovethissite.com/smile/index.html
*****************************************************************
"In my reckoning, whatever we are called upon to suffer in this present time cannot compare with the glory which is going to burst upon us.
For the whole created universe eagerly and expectantly awaits the day when God will show the world who his sons are.
For the whole created universe was involved in a process of meaningless frustration, not of its own choice, but by the decree of God who did so subject it.
But the situation was never hopeless, because even the created universe itself will be liberated from its servitude to death's decay, and will come to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that up to now the whole created universe groans in all its parts, like a woman in the birthpangs. This is not only true of the created universe. We too, even although we have received in the Spirit a foretaste of what the new life will be like, groan inwardly, as we wait longingly for God to complete his adoption of us, so that we will be emancipated from sin, both body and soul." Romans 8 (The New Testament by Dr. Wm. Barclay )
Smiles
http://www.lovethissite.com/smile/index.html
*****************************************************************
"In my reckoning, whatever we are called upon to suffer in this present time cannot compare with the glory which is going to burst upon us.
For the whole created universe eagerly and expectantly awaits the day when God will show the world who his sons are.
For the whole created universe was involved in a process of meaningless frustration, not of its own choice, but by the decree of God who did so subject it.
But the situation was never hopeless, because even the created universe itself will be liberated from its servitude to death's decay, and will come to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that up to now the whole created universe groans in all its parts, like a woman in the birthpangs. This is not only true of the created universe. We too, even although we have received in the Spirit a foretaste of what the new life will be like, groan inwardly, as we wait longingly for God to complete his adoption of us, so that we will be emancipated from sin, both body and soul." Romans 8 (The New Testament by Dr. Wm. Barclay )
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