Everything to Me aka Puff's Pocket

Hurry Home

2009-09-19T11:03:00.004-05:00

Love this song!
Chorus
It doesn't matter what you've done I still love you. It doesn't matter where you've been you can still come home. And Honey if it's you, we've got a lot making up to do. And I can't hug you on the phone SO HURRY HOME.

For More Sing My Soul Saturday visit Amy.

Wash Day

2009-09-14T06:12:00.001-05:00

Wash Day...........

What a world it would be if even only 80% would do this.....

Monday
Wash Day
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness
and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect
humility through the week ahead.

Tuesday
Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of
prejudice I have collected though the years so
that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday
Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not
set a bad example for others.

Thursday
Cleaning Day
Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults
I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday
Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I
may purchase eternal happiness for
myself and all others in need of love.

Saturday
Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love
and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday
The Lord's Day
O God, I have prepared my house for you.
Please come into my heart so I may spend
the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

Wash Day by Pam Tatum Dobbs from Heart of a Woman FB

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

2009-09-07T14:45:00.000-05:00

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted an old friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her.

Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE."

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage.

In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star."

At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit.""Keep playing."

Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato.

Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.

The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, " Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.

The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing."

May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.

Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.' Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along.

May God bless you and be with you always!

This was sent to me in an email. I know that you have probably heard this several times, but I thought I would share. Pray that you are blessed by it.

What's in a Name

2009-09-05T13:06:00.002-05:00

This really spoke to me and I wanted to share with you.

What's in a Name
by Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

"Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain" (1 Chronicles 4:10 NIV).

Most likely you have heard about one man's little prayer tucked in 1 Chronicles 4. His name is Jabez, and his name means "pain." I don't know if it was a lapse in judgment or just plain meanness, but when Jabez was born, his momma was not a happy woman. She bore this boy in pain and wanted to make sure he never forgot it. So, she named him...Pain. All his life, Jabez had to live under the cloud that he had caused his mother great pain.

Maybe you have echoes in your memory of your mother reminding you that you were a pain. "You are such a pain." "You cause me pain." "You are a bother." "I sacrificed so much for you and you don't even appreciate it." But you know what? Even if someone has made you feel like you were a royal pain,that does not make it true. God would beg to differ. He absolutely adores you. He loves you so much that He even gave His only Son so that you could spend eternity with Him. We don't do that for people who are a pain. On the contrary, we don't want to spend a minute with them...much less an eternity.

Let's go back to Jabez for a moment. What did he do about the name he had been given? He prayed. He decided he was not going to let someone's estimation of him or the label his mother had placed on him, rule him for the rest of his life. Jabez cried out to God. "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain."

1 Chronicles 4:9 tells us that Jabez was honorable - more honorable than all his brothers. This was not a self-seeking prayer. He just wanted to be free of the label that had been slapped on him by his momma, and be loved by the God who could slap a blessing on his heart.

Perhaps you need to renounce a few names that have plagued you for years...
"You're no good."
"You're not a good daughter."
"You're irresponsible."
"You don't care about anybody but yourself."
"You're just like your father."
"You're so selfish."

Visualize whatever label you've allowed, to be written on a name tag. Now, visualize Jesus walking up to you and pulling that name tag off your chest, crumpling it up, and throwing it in the trash.

Now visualize Jesus picking up a permanent marker and writing your new name on your heart.
"New creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)
Light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
Child of God (John 1:12)
Righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24)

That's who you really are - and don't let anyone tell you any different!

Oh, and what of Jabez's request? "And God granted him what he requested" (1 Chronicles 4:10).

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You for giving me a new name! I pray that I will no longer remember the names that I have been called in the past. This one thing I do...forgetting what lies behind and pressing forward to what lies ahead. I run the race with a new name...the one that you have given me...dearly loved precious child.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Sing My Soul Saturday

2009-08-15T12:01:00.002-05:00

HOSANA
I am sure you have heard this song before. If not, it is an awesome song. Close your eyes and let the words speak to you. The group singing is from my church Calera Baptist Church. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

For more great music visit Amy for Sing My Soul Saturday!

Your Grace is Enough

2009-07-21T08:34:00.000-05:00

Clay Balls

2009-06-30T08:48:00.002-05:00

A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of harden clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful precious stone!

Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a small treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.

Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown about 50 to 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure he could have taken tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It is like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world they way God sees them.

I am so blessed by gems of friendship I have with you. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.

I don't know who wrote this, but it touched my heart.

I am a Kept Woman

2009-06-29T13:24:00.003-05:00

You see there were a few times when I thought I would loose my mind,
but GOD kept me sane. (Isaiah 26:3)

There were times when I thought I could go no longer,
but the LORD kept me moving.
(Gen. 28:15)

At times, I have wanted to lash out at those whom I felt have done me wrong.
But the LORD kept my mouth shut..( Psalm 13)

Somtimes, I think money just isn't enough,
But GOD has helped us to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc...
(Mat. 6:25-34)

When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up.
When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong!
(1 Peter 5:7, Matt. 11: 28-30)

I could go on and on and on, but I am sure you hear me!
I am blessed to be 'kept'!

I'm "kept" by the Grace and Love of GOD

Desert Song

2009-06-14T07:52:00.004-05:00

I came across this song yesterday by being apart of Sings My Soul Saturday hosted by Amy.
There have been so many times that I find myself in the Desert. Not only me but, I hear so many who are struggling with all kinds of storms or should I say battles. Whether it is from:
Family, Finances, Friends, Jobs, Sickness...the list could go on and on and on. While we think we are alone because so many do not want to discuss their problems "WE ARE NOT ALONE"! We put on this mask and try to act like everything is happy and blissful when we are breaking into inside. I know because I have been there and still there a lot of the time! Remember this: YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! God is with you! So, my friend...when life hits you when you least expect it or you feel as things are spiraling out of control with life's struggles PRAISE HIM! MY GOD IS THE GOD WHO PROVIDES!

For more Super Sunday visit Peggy here.

Love Without Limits

2009-06-13T07:58:00.002-05:00

For more Sings My Soul Saturday visit Amy.

Lifesavers Candy

2009-06-12T08:13:00.004-05:00

A teacher was doing a study testing the senses (taste)        

The children began to identify the flavors by their color:

Red.....................Cherry
Yellow................Lemon
Green..................Lime
Orange...............Orange

Finally the teacher gave them all HONEY lifesavers. None
Of the children could identify the taste.

The teacher said, 'I will give you all a clue. It's what
your Mother may sometimes call your father.'

One little girl looked up in horror, spit her lifesaver out
and Yelled, 'Oh my Gosh! They're butt-holes!

The teacher had to leave the room!

Hope everyone has a FABULOUS Friday!!!:)
For more FUN and Laughs visit Kim here!

Sound Investing

2009-06-09T07:33:00.002-05:00

The 4th and last part of Scriptural Prayers for Your Finances is Sound Investing.

Spending. Because everything I have is Yours, I will seek Your glory in every financial decision. Specifically, ______________(consult Him about the decisiions you're making now) (1 Chorn. 29:11; Prov. 3:6; 1 Cor. 10:31).

Saving. Just as the ant prepares for the future, I will put aside money for future expenditures that will honor You, including _______(list the things you need to save for) (Prov.6:6-8).

Financial investment. My Master, are there areas in which You want me to take obedient risks with the wealth You have entrusted to me, in order to bring a return that will serve You and Your kingdom (Mt.25:24-27)?

Treasure in heaven. I gladly store up for myself treasures in heaven, where nothing can destroy them or take them away. I choose to shift the focus of my heart from earthly possessions toward heaven, where my home and my lasting treasure are--with You (Mt. 6:19-21;
Heb. 11:16).

Investing in people. Lord, how can I most effectively invest my worldly wealth in people, so that when it is gone and this life is over, they might join me in heaven(Lk.16:9)?
Scriptural Prayers for Your Finances by Brian Smith

In the time that we are living with so much hurt, pain and financial stress; what better time to pray for our finances and our country than now!

Today is : BFF (Best Friends Forever)

2009-06-08T12:17:00.002-05:00

To all my blog friends ....this is for you.

Hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday!
Happy BFF Day!

Made Me Glad

2009-06-07T09:35:00.004-05:00

For more Super Sunday visit Peggy @Amazing Grace-Mazes, Messes, Miracles.

Three Men on a Hike

2009-06-05T08:16:00.002-05:00

Three Men on a Hike Three men were hiking through a forest when they came upon a large raging, violent river. Needing to get to the other side, the first man prayed: "God, please give me the strength to cross the river."

Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim across in about 2 hours, having almost drowned twice.

After witnessing that, the second man prayed: "God, please give me strength and the tools to cross the river"

Poof! ... God gave him a rowboat and strong arms and strong legs and he was able to row across in about an hour after almost capsizing once.

Seeing what happened to the first two men, the third man prayed: "God, please give me the strength, the tools and the intelligence to cross the river"

Poof! ... He was turned in to a woman. She checked the map, hiked one hundred yards up stream and walked across the bridge.

"If at first you don't succeed, do it the way your wife told you!

Ladies...it is good to be back! I have missed you!

For more laughs visit Kim here!

Checking In

2009-06-03T09:09:00.003-05:00

Summer is here!! This past month things have been very crazy for me. I hope to post on some of these things soon. Thanks to everyone who continues to visit my blog and send prayers and encouragement! I have one more post on "Praying for your finances" that I hope to get out this week.
I am so behind in visiting and reading blogs...so I will be by soon to see what is going on with you.

For now I am heading to the gym to work on getting in shape!:)

Thieves in the Night

2009-05-01T09:52:00.003-05:00

Thieves In the Night

You've heard about people who have been abducted and had their kidneys removed by black-market organ thieves?

My thighs were stolen from me during the night a few years ago. I went to sleep and woke up with someone else's thighs. it was just that quick! the replacements had the texture of cooked oatmeal. Whose thighs were these and what happened to mine? I spent the entire summer looking for my thighs. Finally, hurt and angry, I resigned myself to living out my life in jeans. A then the thieves struck again!

My butt was next. I knew it was the same gang, because they took pains to match my new rear-end to the thighs they had stuck me with earlier. But my new butt was attached at least three inches lower than my original! I realized I'd have to give up my jeans in favor of long skirts.

Two years ago I realized my arms had been switched! One morning I was fixing my hair and was horrified to see the flesh of my upper arm swing to and fro with the motion of the hairbrush. this was really getting scary - my body was being replaced one section at a time. What could they do to me next?

When my poor neck suddenly disappeared and was replaced with a turkey neck, I decided to tell my story. Women of the world, wake up and smell the coffee! Those "plastic" surgeons are using REAL replacement body parts - stolen from you and me! The next time someone you know has something "lifted", look again --was it lifted from you?

THIS IS NOT A HOAX. This is happening to women everywhere everynight.

WARN YOUR FRIENDS!

P.S. Last year I thought some one had stolen my boobs. I was lying in bed and they were gone! but when I jumped out of bed, I was relieved to see that they had just been hiding in my armpits as I slept. Now I keep them hidden in my waistband.

These same thieves come in my closet and shrink my clothes!

How do they do it???????

For more laughs and fun visit Kim here.

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

2009-04-24T10:44:00.004-05:00

DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

(and it's ALL small stuff!)

And above all remember . . .

GOD LOVES YOU!

Girlie Wisdom!

1. A friend of mine confused her Valium with her birth control-pills.. She has 14 kids but doesn't really care.

2. One of life's mysteries is how a 2-pound box of chocolates can make a woman gain 5 lbs.

3. My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.

4. The best way to forget your troubles is to wear tight shoes.

5. The nice part about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you are doing, someone else does. AMEN!!!

6. The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight because by then, your body and your fat are really good friends.

7. Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today.

8. Sometimes I think I understand everything, and then I regain consciousness.

9. I gave up jogging for my health when my thighs kept rubbing together and setting fire to my sweat pants.

10. Amazing! You hang something in your closet for a while and it shrinks 2 sizes!

11. Skinny people irritate me! Especially when they say things like...'You know sometimes I forget to eat!' .....Now I've forgotten my address, my mother's maiden name and my keys, but I have never forgotten to eat. You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat!

12. The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing and then they marry him.

13. I read this article that said the typical symptoms of stress are eating too much, impulse buying, and driving too fast. Are they kidding? That's my idea of a perfect day!

Have a Blessed Day!

For more laughs and fun visit Kim.

Spiritual Prayer for Your Finances #3

2009-04-21T12:23:00.002-05:00

Spiritual Prayers for your Finances #3 is on Sound Giving!

Giving joyfully. Father, I choose to give cheerfully and willingly, just as You have given so cheerfully and willingly to me (2 Cor. 9:7; Eph. 5:1-2).

Giving firstfruits. Lord, I will honor You by giving the first and best of all my income, not my leftovers (Prov.3:9: Mal. 1:6-8, 3:10; 1 Cor. 16:2).

Giving sacrificially. In light of Your love, it's a privilege to give even out of poverty. I choose to trust You enough to give even beyond my apparent ability (mk. 12:41-44; 2 Cor. 8:1-4).

Supporting ministry. You have instructed us to support those in ministry. May my gifts enable them to serve You more fully as they advance Your kingdom locally and abroad (1 Cor. 9:11-14).

Helping the needy. Lord, with the compassion You have put in me, I will give generously, without a grudging heart, to those in need--whether in my community or around the world. When I give to the poor, I'm ministering to You. Whom do You want me to help today
(Jas. 2:15-16: Dt. 15:10; Prov. 19:17; Mt. 25:40)?

Giving for God's glory. Father, You are the One who makes me rich in every way so that I can always be generous. I want my generosity to result in thanksgiving and glory to You, not to me
(2 Cor. 9:11; Mt. 6:1).
Spiritual Prayers for Your Finances by Brian Smith

Coming soon.....Spiritual Prayers for Your Finances #4 Sound Investing

SUPER SUNDAY!

2009-04-19T09:25:00.001-05:00

THE ENEMY KNOWS BETER THAN WE DO THAT NOTHING IS BIGGER OR MORE POWERFUL THAN OUR GOD.

Lord God, I feel like the enemy has tracked me down. I feel as if he has tried to surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. He is like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover.

Rise up, O Lord, and confront him. Bring him down! Rescue me from his wickedness! (Ps.17:11-13).

Look upon the enemy that oppresses me, and let smoke rise from Your nostrils! Let consuming fire come from Your mouth!

Part the heavens and come down! Mount the cherubim and fly! Soar on the wings of the wind! Shoot Your arrows, Lord, and scatter my enemy! (Ps. 18:8-10,14).

By: Beth Moore Praying God's Word Day by Day A Year of Devotional Prayers

Join Peggy for more Super Sunday!

Eight Things!

2009-04-18T12:46:00.004-05:00

Here's how to do this 8 THINGS thing:
Mention the person that tagged you.
Complete the lists of 8's.
Tag 8 of your wonderful bloggy friends.
Go tell them you tagged them!

I was tagged by Kim @ Homesteaders Heart and

Noel at Bloom Where You are Planted

Check out both of these blogs ...I am sure you will love them!

Okay...now to my EIGHT THINGS:

Eight Things I look Forward To:

1. The weekends when my husband comes home from a week of hard work on the road.

2. School getting out in May.

3. Heart Friends...we meet twice a month for accountability, prayer, encouragement.

4. Bombshells...another group ..we meet once a month. I went to high school with most of these ladies and then our daughters went K-12th grade with each other. We reconnected when our daughters started Kindergarden....we decided to stay connected by going out to eat or movies, bowling etc. Lots of fun and great girl time!

5. Going to Church

6. Playing with my 3 neices

7. Phone call from Andrea/seeing her again. I miss her so much!

8. Beach retreat with Ladies from my church.

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Went to work at Jemison Middle School.

2. Went outside with my students and played ...yesterday was beautiful!

3. Picked up my Mom ...she is spending the weekend with me.

4. Washed dishes...talked on phone.

5. Picked up sticks in my yard for nephew Brad who was cutting my grass.

6. Played, fed and rocked to sleep my sweet neice Brooklynn while her Dad cut my grass.

7. Read blogs and posted comments.

8. Watched T.V. and read some in a book.

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. Jog without running out of breath.

2. Loose weight and still be able to eat chocolate.

3. Make more money so we would be out of debt and Joey wouldn't have to work so hard.

4. Redo the last 2 years that Andea was at home.

5. Stop rebellion, addictions, heartbreak.

6. Remember names ...I am horrible...I never forget a face...but may forget your name.

7. Talk, hug and see Andrea and her not to hate me.

8. Be in shape...and have the perfect tan.

8 Shows I watch:

1. Reba

2. NCIS

3. Dancing with the Stars

4. Hallmark channel

5. Lifetime channel

6. Food network

7. Doctors

8. Speed channel (only when Joey is home)

8 Bloggers Tagged:

I'm tagging people I don't know very well, YET.

If you do this please tell me so I can come learn more about you.

1. Jennifer @ Through the Storm of Life

2. Tammy @ Encouragement For the Day

3. Becca @ Time Well Spent

4. Kelly @ Our Family Ramblings

5. Susan @ Forever His

6. Luanne @ Less of Me

7. Sherri @ Be About Your Father's Business

8. Faith @ Gold in the Clouds

If I didn't tag you and you want to do this, PLEASE feel free.

So if you're a friend and want to do this, let me know so I can come check it out!!

Friday Funnies

2009-04-17T11:42:00.003-05:00

Power outage during the mamogram appointment from hell......

I actually kept my mammogram appointment. I was met with, 'Hi! I'm Belinda!' This perky clipboard carrier smiled from ear to ear, tilted her head to one side and crooned, 'All I need you to do is step into this room right here, strip to the waist, then slip on this gown. Everything clear?'

I'm thinking, 'Belinda, try decaf. This ain't rocket science. Belinda skipped away to prepare the chamber of horrors. With the right side finished, Belinda flipped me (literally) to the left and said, 'Hmmmm. Can you stand on your tippy toes and lean in a tad so we can get everything?' 'Fine', I answered. I was freezing, bruised, and out of air, so why not use the remaining circulation in my legs and neck and finish me off? My body was in a holding pattern that defied gravity (with my other boob wedged between those two 4 inch pieces of square glass) when we heard, then felt a zap!

Complete darkness and the power went off! 'Oh, maintenance is working. Bet they hit a snag.' Belinda headed for the door. 'Excuse me! You're not leaving me in this vise alone are you?' I shouted. Belinda kept going and said, 'Oh, you fussy puppy...the door's wide open so you'll have the emergency hall lights. I'll be right back.' Before I could shout 'NOOOO!' she disappeared. And that's exactly how Bubba and Earl, maintenance men extraordinaire, found me, half-naked and part of me dangling from the Jaws of Life, and the other part smashed between glass! After exchanging polite 'Hi, how's it going' type greetings, Bubba (or possibly Earl) asked, to my utter disbelief, if I knew the power was off. Trying to disguise my hysteria, I replied with as much calmness as possible 'Uh, yes, yes I did thanks.' 'You bet, take care' Bubba replied and waved good-bye as though I'd been standing in the line at the grocery store.

Two hours later, Belinda breezes in wearing a sheepish grin. Making no attempt to suppress her amusement, she said, 'Oh I am sooo sorry!' The power came back on and I totally forgot about you! And silly me, I went to lunch. Are we upset?'

And that, Your Honor, is exactly how her head ended up between the clamps....

Friday Funnies is hosted by Kim. For more fun and smiles and even laughs visit Kim here.

Blood Type

2009-04-11T11:15:00.002-05:00

Blood Type
It's a Wednesday night and you are at a church prayer meeting when somebody runs in from the parking lot yelling, "Turn on a radio, turn on a radio!"

And while the church listens to a little transistor radio with a microphone stuck up to it, the announcement is made: "Two women are lying in a Long Island hospital dying from a 'mystery' flu." Within hours it seems, this thing just sweeps across the country.

People are working around the clock trying to find an antidote. Nothing is working! California, Oregon , Arizona , Georgia , Minnesota , Massachusetts
It's as though it's just sweeping in from the borders.

And then, all of a sudden, the news comes out The code has been broken. A cure can be found. A vaccine can be made. It's going to take the blood of somebody who hasn't been infected, and so, sure enough, all through the Midwest , through all those channels of emergency broadcasting, they ask you to do one simple thing: Go to your downtown hospital and have your blood type taken. That's all we ask of you. When you hear the sirens go off in your neighborhood, please make your way quickly, quietly, and safely to the hospitals.

Sure enough, when you and your family get down there late on that Friday night, there is a long line, and they've got nurses and doctors coming out and pricking fingers and taking blood and putting labels on it.

Your wife and your kids are out there, and they take your blood type and they say, "Wait here in the parking lot and if we call your name, you can be dismissed and go home."

You stand around, scared, with your neighbors, wondering what in the world is going on and if this is the end of the world.

Suddenly a young man comes running out of the hospital screaming. He's yelling a name and waving a clipboard. What? He yells it again! And your son tugs on your jacket and says, " Daddy, that's me."

Before you know it, they have grabbed your boy. Wait a minute!

Hold on! And they say, "It's okay, his blood is clean. His blood is pure.

We want to make sure he doesn't have the disease. We think he has got the right type." Five tense minutes later, out come the doctors and nurses , crying and hugging one another .. some are even laughing. It's the first time you have seen anybody laugh in a week, and an old doctor walks up to you and says, "Thank you, sir. Your son's blood type is perfect. It 's clean, it is pure, and we can make the vaccine.." As the word begins to spread all across that parking lot full of folks, people are screaming and praying and laughing and crying.

Then the gray-haired doctor pulls you and your wife aside and says, "May we see you for moment? We didn't realize that the donor would be a minor and 20 we need . we need you to sign a consent form." You begin to sign and then you see that the number of pints of blood to be taken has been left blank.

"H-how many pints?", you ask.

And that is when the old doctor's smile fades and he says, "We had no idea it would be little child. We weren't prepared. I'm sorry sir, we need it all!"

"But but ... You don't understand."

"We are talking about the world here. Please sign. We need it all!"

"But can't you give him a transfusion?"

"If we had clean blood we would. Can you sign? Would you sign?"

In numb silence, you do.

Then they say, "Would you like to have a moment with him before we begin?"

Can you walk back? Can you walk back to that room where he sits on a table saying, "Daddy? Mommy? What's going on?" Can you take his hands and say, "Son, your mommy and I love you, and we would never ever let anything happen to you that didn't just have to be. Do you understand that?"

And when that old doctor comes back in and says , " I'm sorry, we've GOT to get started! People all over the world are dying. Can you leave?"

Can you walk out while he is saying, "Daddy? Mommy? Daddy?

"Why, why have you forsaken me?"

And then next week, when they have the ceremony to honor your son some folks sleep through it . some folks don't even come because they go to the lake or the seashore. some folks come with a pretentious smile and just "pretend" to care. Would you want to jump up and say, "MY SON DIED FOR YOU! DON'T YOU CARE?"
Is that what GOD wants to say? "MY SON DIED FOR YOU. DON'T YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I CARE?"

"FATHER, Seeing it from YOUR eyes breaks our hearts. Maybe now we can begin to comprehend the great Love YOU have for us."
Arthur Unknown

Friday Funnies

2009-04-10T08:02:00.001-05:00

It is Friday!!! Today I am joining in on the fun at Kim's for Funny Friday. For more laughs and smiles to your day click here.

God Is Busy
If you don't know God, don't make stupid remarks!!!!!!

A United States Marine was attending some college
courses between assignments. He had completed missions
in Iraq and Afghanistan . One of the courses had a
professor who was an avowed atheist, and a member of the ACLU.

One day the professor shocked the class when he came
in. He looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, GOD if you
are real then I want you to knock me off this platform.
I'll give you exactly 15 min.' The lecture room fell silent. You
could hear a pin drop.
Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed,
'Here I am GOD, I'm still waiting.'

It got down to the last couple of minutes when the
Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and
cold-cocked him; knocking him off the platform. The professor was out
cold. The Marine went back to his seat and sat there,
silently.

The other students were shocked and stunned, and sat
there looking on in silence. The professor eventually came
to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked,
'What in the world is the matter with you? 'Why did you
do that?'
The Marine calmly replied, 'GOD was too busy today
protecting America 's soldiers who are protecting your right
to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot. So He sent me.'

The classroom erupted in cheers!

Spiritural Prayer for Your Finances #2

2009-04-08T08:05:00.003-05:00

These scripture prayers are for Sound Living with your finances.

Eternal priorities. Lord, I choose not to set my heart on the world and its passing desires, especially _________________(list the worldly things that lure you). I will love You above all by seeking first Your kingdom and Your righteousness (1 Jn. 2:15-17; Mt. 6:33).

Stewardship. I relinquish my owner mentality, that I might faithfully manage what You have entrusted to me, remembering always that I am accountable to You for its use (Mt. 25:14-30;
1 Cor. 4:2).

Work ethic. Lord, I commit now to work with all my heart, not to win the favor of men, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for You. It is You that I am serving (Col. 3:22-24).

Provision for family. I will not neglect my family. As I work faithfully, grant me the means to supply what they need (1 Tim. 5:8).

Borrowing. Lord, thank You for providing through Your Spirit the fruit of self-control. I choose to delay buying what I don't need until You supply the money. I commit to freeing myself from all outstanding debts except the continuing debt of love (Gal. 5:22-23; Prov. 22:7; Ro. 13:8).

Honesty. Lord, I refuse to pursue any form of dishonest gain, because ill-gotten treasures are ultimately of no value. I especially need help with ___________(tell Him about any current temptations). (Ex. 20:15; Prov. 10:2; Ro. 13:6-7).

Patience. I need wisdom, God, to resist the lure of get-rich-quick schemes, which lead to poverty. Provide me with restraint to gather the money I need little by little (Prov. 13:11, 23:4, 28:19-20).
Scriptural Prayers for Your Finances by Brian Smith

I hope these scripture prayers help with what you may be going through. Times are hard for everyone. It seems that all families are being hit with something or multiple things. Whether it is finances, family things (such as parents fighting, caring for elderly parents, sickness, rebellious teens, juggling home and work), loosing a job or finding enough work to keep your job. WOW, this is alot... and I am sure these are just tip of what some of us are dealing with. I plan to post later some prayers to help with each of these things.

Coming soon: Scripture Prayers for Sound Giving.