Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

[Virtuos Woman]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Praise

We call ourselves Christians
Tell everyone we are saved
We sit in church every Sunday
Well-mannered and behaved
We lift our hands in reluctance
Give a wave now and then
Nod our heads in agreement
May let out a little "Amen"
But is that all that we can do
To give praise to His name
To the Man who died so that we would live
His love was not a game
Praise Him like you praise
If no one else is in the room
Praise Him when you're feeling good
And when you're feeling gloom
Your praise is meant for Him
And only Him alone
Praise Him how you plan to praise Him
When you will kneel down at His Throne
Praise Him for all He has done
And what He has yet to do
Praise Him for giving you life
Praise Him for saving you
Our praise should not cease
Because the music ends
Our praise is just a reflection
Of the worship He extends
In everything you do and say
For all of your days
Remember to always lift His Name
And give Him all the praise

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

The Blessings in "No"

I asked God to take away my pride.
God said "No".
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said "No".
Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said "No".
Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said "No".
I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said "No".
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said "No".
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said "No".
I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as he loves Me.
God said... Ahhhh, finally you have the idea!

Author Unknown

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.
-- Max Ehrmann, 1927

[churchgirl]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Practice what you preach

You can know all the scriptures,
Have all the bibles you can reach,
But when push comes to shove
Do you practice what you preach?

Anyone can go to church
And collapse on the floor,
But when Judgment Day comes
Will you be at Heaven's door?

You can have the biggest of fits
And say the Holy ghost passed through,
But is that really reflected
In the things you do?

You can yell far and wide
Proclaiming your love for Christ,
But what have you given him
When for you He gave his life?

You can lecture others
About the wrong things they do,
But before you look at others
You need to look at you.

You can damn all the sinners
Tell them they're headed south,
But what have you done lately
Besides run your mouth?

You can call yourself a Christian
Spend all your days at church,
But while you are praising His name,
Have you been doing the Lord's work?

You can boast of good deeds
To show us the spirit is within
But why show it to us?
You should show it to Him!

You can memorize the bible
Know it from front to back,
But you don't use it to regulate others
Regulate how you act!

Take a good look at yourself
Not at what others do,
Because when He comes to get his children ...
Will He be coming for you too?

~author unknown~

[DC]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Eleven Lessons from Noah's Ark

ONE: Don't miss the boat.
TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
FOUR: Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
FIVE: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
SIX: Build your future on high ground.
SEVEN: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
EIGHT: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
NINE: When you're stressed, float awhile.
TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
ELEVEN: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.
[img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

The Power of the Gospel
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

By itself, knowledge of the Gospel—the power that saves us from our sins by Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection—is powerless. In fact, many people have heard the Gospel but refuse to believe its truth.

It’s not until we see the Gospel at work in our lives or in the lives of those around us that we realize the power it possesses.

In Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica, he writes openly about the Gospel and its potential impact in their lives.

Just like Paul, we also are entrusted to deliver the message of the Gospel.

Whether with our mouths or through our actions and deeds, we should always be a witness of the power of the Gospel.

And here are four points we need to remember about the power of the Gospel:

1) It’s a superior message. The Gospel is more important than anything we’ve ever heard because the mind of God is in it.

2) It’s a simple message. We can never fathom all the wisdom of God, yet His saving message is easy enough for a child to comprehend.

3) It’s a sure message. Anyone from anywhere can be saved when they embrace the Gospel.

4) It’s a sufficient message. The Bible contains an answer for every trial or situation we encounter.

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

GOD SAYS IN HIS WORD:

"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

BECAUSE HE SAYS IT, IT MUST BE TRUE!

THEREFORE I WILL BELIEVE IN MY HEART AND CONFESS
WITH MY MOUTH:

Lord I thank you for your peace. I thank you
that I have a covenant of peace (nothing missing
and nothing broken) with you. Nothing in the
outer world can touch me as I walk in this
glorious covenant with you. I refuse to be
afraid no matter what is happening in the world.
I am safe. I am healed. I am prosperous. I am
protected. There is nothing to fear because I
have your word, your spirit and the power of your
name. If you are for me, and you are, who can be
against me? Thank you Lord that in you I can
live a stress free life.

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

If God didn't love me as much as He does, I would be jealous of how much He loves you.

- borrowed from Compry.

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Isn't It Strange?

Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate
it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church,
and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying,
but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible,
but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games,
but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?

Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the
day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?

Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share
it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?

Isn't it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say,
but we question the words in the Bible?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven,
but they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

Isn't it strange how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded right away,
but when we are going to send messages about God, we think about it twice before we share it with others?

IT'S STRANGE ISN'T IT?

-Author Unknown

[DC]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

A little girl was learning the Lord's prayer. Each line was perfect until.."...and lead us not into temptation..but deliver us some e-mail!" [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

The King of Kings gives you and me access into his grace over the phone line of faith-direct to his royal chat room. His e-mail address is Jeremiah33.3@don'tstress.com"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know"

Like the internet superhighway, we have access to grace at any time of day and night. This grace connects us with God himself and with people worldwide who have signed on to follow Him. By faith we hyperlink to the wisdom we need to live by His kingdom principles.

Remember you have immediate access to God's Riches at Christ's Expense(GRACE).

Jesus says "God's kingdom is within you". Click on that!

Barbara Johnson

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

TIME

One of the secrets of happiness is to
take time to accomplish what you have to do,
then to make time to achieve what you want to do.
Remember that life is short.
Its golden moments needs hopes and memories and dreams.
When it seems like those things are lost in the shuffle,
you owe it to yourself to find them again.
The days are too precious to let them slip away.
If you're working too hard,
make sure it's because it's a sacrifice for a time
when you're going to pay yourself back
with something more important than money could ever be.
If you're losing the battle,
Do what it takes to win the war
over who is in control of your destiny.
Find time, make time, take time...
to love, to smile, to do something rewarding
and deeply personal and completely worthwhile.
Time is your fortune,
and you can spend it to bring more joy to yourself
and to others your whole life through.
Time is your treasure.

- J. M. Colter

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

God is still on the throne, and man is still on his footstool. There's only a knee's distance in between.

----

Kneeling is a good way to pray because it is uncomfortable.

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Originally posted by CEW:
[qb] "Kneeling is a good way to pray because it is uncomfortable." [/qb]

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

To know the biblical salvation story allows us to comprehend our purpose in life. To understand our purpose is to be secure about our future. To discern our future is to know that, in the end, we win through God's saving grace.

--The Plain Truth, January 1992.