Live with Passion

Keep Your Fork

2010-03-22T14:59:00.002-06:00

Often times, when someone is making arrangements, they have a request as to what they want done. The lady in the following author unknown story tells her reason for "keeping her fork".

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Priest and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Priest was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.

"What' that?" came the Priest's reply.

"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The Priest stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Priest.

The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so. I have also, always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement."

"In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork ..The best is yet to come."

The Priest's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge.

She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Priest heard the question: "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Priest told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."

Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share ... being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.

Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND even if it means sending back to the person who sent it to you.

And keep your fork.

The Right Place at the Right Time

2010-01-23T11:40:00.003-07:00

I had my alarm set this morning and woke up to the kid's radio program, "paws and tails". It's always pretty cute, so I left the radio on and listened to the program.
One of the adult characters was going to take a young character out fishing. Everything that could happen prevented them from getting away on time. The young girl broke her compact mirror, they stopped to help an elderly lady start her car and ended up with her handkerchief, they ran into the scout troop at the fishing store as well as a few other untimely events.

When they finally got out to the fishing spot caught a huge fish, they ended up chasing it down the river. Sadly, the fish broke the line and got away. Then...they heard someone moaning. It turns out that they ended up in the right place at the right time. They were able to help rescue a man who had fallen and banged his head. They used the handkerchief to cool his forehead, the broken compact to signal the boy scout troops who were camping not far off...and the fish that got away led them to the right spot. So even though all sorts of problems happened, everything worked out for good. They were able to help rescue the person who had fallen.

The scripture that they brought out was, "God works all things together for good to those who love the Lord." Now, this doesn't mean that God causes bad things or difficult things to happen. But, he can turn the bad situation out for the good.

If I think about some of the things that I have gone through, some of the bad things that have happened, often I can also think of something good that came out of it all. Has it ever happened to you? Did something good come out of the ordeal? Next time when you have gone through something, look back - maybe something good ended up coming out of a bad situation.

Put in the Big Rocks First

2010-01-12T15:32:00.003-07:00

Happy New Year Everyone!

In First Things First, a book by Stephen Covey(an author I really like), he tells a story about a presentation given at a seminar. The seminar presenter pulled out a wide-mouth gallon jar and placed it next to a pile of fist-sized rocks. After filling the jar to the top with rocks, he asked, "Is the jar full?"

The group replied, "Yes."

He then got some gravel from under the table and added it to the jar. The speaker jiggled the jar until the gravel filled the spaces between the rocks. Again, he asked, "Is the jar full?"

This time, the group replied, "Probably not."

The speaker then added some sand and asked, "Is the jar full?"

"No!" shouted the group.

Finally, the speaker filled the jar to the brim with water and asked the group the point of this illustration.

Someone replied that you could always fit more things into your life if "you really work at it."

"No," countered the speaker. "The point is, if you don't put the big rocks in first, would you ever have gotten any of them in?"

This is a perfect example of your life! The big rocks represent the things in your life that are important to you. These are the things that will make you happy, successful and healthy in life. Say yes, to adding the big rocks first. Fill your life with things that really matter, enjoying the things that you love and having time for yourself. Don't try to fit the important things that matter in around all those little things (the sand) that don't mean as much. When the smaller gravel or sand tries to fill your time, you won't have time for those "big rocks".

After all, you CAN always add more into your life, but it just makes it fuller, not necessarily better. So, think about the big rocks in your life as you start this new year.
Some of the big rocks in my life would be; God, my family, my friends, my business, my volunteer work, down time to do something I enjoy and a few other things. What are some of the big rocks in your life?

The Real Santa Claus

2009-12-25T13:59:00.003-07:00

Christmas has transformed into both a religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. Have you wondered how Santa Claus became a part of Christmas traditions?

There was a real Santa Claus (ST. Nicholas) long ago. Nicholas became a bishop sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. He was a kind and genrous young man. He inherited a fortune which he used to help people in need.

He wore a long red robe and a red hat and travelled on horseback to neighboring villages. He would travel to nearby villages helping the families and their children. Children would see him coming and come to greet him.

In one village, bishop Nicholas heard about a man who had fallen on hard times. He had three daughters and didn't have money for a dowry so that they could get married.

One night, Nicholas crept up to the home where the family lived. He secretly tossed bags of gold down the chimney. Earlier that day, the three sisters had hung their newly washed stockings by the fireplace to dry. One bag of gold that Nicholas dropped fell into one of the stockings below.

As the story of these three sisters spread from village to village, other people began to hang their stockings by the fire, hoping to find a secret gift when they awoke the next morning. People all over the world began to celebrate, hanging stockings by the fire and waking to find them filled with candy, fruit, nuts or toys.

The American name for him, Santa Claus, comes from the Dutch pronounciation of St. Nicholas which is Sinterklaas. Santa became a modified version of the Famous Nicolas of Myra. In 1823, his appearance and mannerisms changed to become today's Santa Claus, made famous by the poem, "The Night Before Christmas." written by Clement Clarke Moore. Later still, the beverage company, Coca-Cola hired an artist to depict a Santa Claus drinking coca-cola. They insisted that he be fashioned wearing a Bright Red (Coca-cola color) suit.

So, although there is no more Santa Claus, there was a real Santa Claus long ago. Many people choose to continue to celebrate Santa and the "Christmas Spirit." Whatever you choose, please don't forget the real reason for the season. We are celebrating the Birth of our Saviour, Jesus.

The "Stuff of Christmas"

2009-12-22T09:55:00.010-07:00

Everyday I seem to have lots of great blog ideas floating around. It's taking the time to set them to print on the screen that matters. Merry Christmas to everyone.

Here it is the week of Christmas - just a few days before. What great things do you find yourself doing during the Christmas season? Do you have some fun family traditions?

Ever notice how stressed people seems at Christmas? Christmas is supposed to be "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." as the song declares. It's easy to get so caught up doing the "stuff" of Christmas that it's easy to forget why we celebrate.

I love the Christmas parties, buying or making gifts for family and friends that I know they will love. I love the decorating, Christmas caroling, Christmas programs, the lights, the Christmas dinner, the visiting that goes on and all the other things that Christmas brings. In the hustle and bustle, don't forget that Christmas is the time when we celebrate Jesus coming to earth. He came as a baby, to grow up to be a man without sin and to save the world from sin through his death on the cross. Here are some meanings to the "stuff" of Christmas.

The lights represent Jesus as the light of the world

The Angel on the tree (or the star) represent the angels that came to the shepherds and the star represents the star that the wisemen followed to his birthplace.

The presents represent the gifts that were given to Jesus

Candles symbolize that Christ is the light of the World

The Holly symbolizes the Crown of Thorns that Jesus wore at his death on the cross

The Christmas Tree symbolizes life.

And - last but not least, the colors of Christmas.

Red - Christ's blood shed for our sin.

Green - We have eternal life in Christ.

White - The purity of Christ.

Gold - The Kingship and Royalty of Christ

So there you have it. So, no matter what traditions you practice at this time of year, remember to celebrate the reason for the season - Jesus!

The Lord is my Shepherd explained

2009-10-13T13:40:00.004-06:00

The Lord is my Shepherd
(That's Relationship!)

I shall not want
(That's Supply!)

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
(That's Rest!)

He leadeth me beside the still waters
(That's Refreshment!)

He restoreth my soul
(That' s Healing!)

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
(That's Guidance!)

For His name sake
(That's Purpose!)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
(That's Testing!)

I will fear no evil
(That' s Protection!)

For Thou art with me
(That's Faithfulness!)

Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me
(That's Discipline!)

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
(That's Hope!)

Thou annointest my head with oil
(That's Consecration!)

My cup runneth over
(That's Abundance!)

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
(That's Blessings!)

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
(That's Security!)

Forever
(That's Eternity!)

What does Math have to do with Hard work, Knowledge, Attitude and the Love of God?

2009-10-03T18:20:00.003-06:00

When I was a child, I loved math. I figured things out easily. As I got older and everything got a little more difficult, I decided that math definitely was not my favorite subject. Here is a really cool little calculation:

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 987 65
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn’t it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321

Now, take a look at this…

101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to

GIVE OVER 100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here’s a little mathematical formula that might help

Answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

If:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will
Get you there, It’s the Love of God that will put you over the top!

The Price of Children

2009-08-31T19:38:00.003-06:00

Have you ever really wondered the cost of raising children today? A creative or very inquisitive person took time to count the cost of raising children. This is the author unknown article:

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140.00 for a middle income family. Talk about price shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. But $160,140.00 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:
$8,896.66 a year,
$741.38 a month,
$171.08 a week.
A mere $24.24 a day!
Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice is: don't have children if you want to be "rich." Actually, it is just the opposite. What do you get for your $160,140.00?

* Naming rights . First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites.
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140.00, you never have to grow up. You get to:

* finger-paint,
* carve pumpkins,
* play hide-and-seek,
* catch lightning bugs,
* never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to:

* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
* watch Saturday morning cartoons,
* go to Disney movies, and
* wish on stars.
* You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and
* collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas,
* hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and
* cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For a mere $24.24 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck.
You get to be a hero just for:

* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
* taking the training wheels off a bike,
* removing a splinter,
* filling a wading pool,
* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and
* coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat in history to witness the:

* First step,
* First word,
* First bra,
* First date,
* First time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal.
You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren.
You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God.

* You have all the power to heal a boo-boo,
* scare away the monsters under the bed,
* patch a broken heart,
* police a slumber party,
* ground them forever, and
* love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!!

Love & enjoy your children & grandchildren & great-grandchildren!!!!!!! It's the best investment you'll ever make!!!!!!!!!

Blessings

2009-08-12T22:02:00.006-06:00

May your troubles be less, your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness come through your door.

Hope

2009-07-24T14:50:00.002-06:00

“Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself... 'How did I get through all of that?”
Author Unknown

You Say - God Says

2009-07-22T11:26:00.005-06:00

When our circumstances in life are crumbling and we feel we aren't able or can't go on, God can speak to us through His Word. Here are some of the things that God promises us in the Bible.

YOU SAY
GOD SAYS

You say: 'It's impossible'
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: 'I'm too tired'
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: 'Nobody really loves me'
God says: I love you
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

You say: 'I can't go on'
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: 'I can't figure things out'
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5- 6)

You say: 'I can't do it'
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: 'I'm not able'
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: 'It's not worth it'
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )

You say: 'I can't forgive myself'
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: 'I can't manage'
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: 'I'm afraid'
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated'
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: 'I'm not smart enough'
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: 'I feel all alone'
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

You are a Ten

2009-07-16T17:07:00.003-06:00

Reinhard Bonnke is a great German preacher and evangelist. I love the way he illustrates God empowering us. All of us are zeros without God. When we stand next to God who is #1, together we become the number 10. We can do all things with the Lord our God!

Faith

2009-07-01T23:28:00.003-06:00

I attended a meeting today where Gloria Copeland was speaking. She was speaking on faith. She was touched on the account of David when he went up against Goliath. He had faith that God would be with him when he went up against the Giant. She was reminding everyone to speak words of faith. Our words have power not just when we are praying. You may have heard of the saying, "You have what you say." Well, it really is true. When something doesn't happen as you expect it to, don't complain that your prayers or your faith doesn't work. Not everything happens in the time line that we want it to. Keep speaking words of Faith and believing.

Stress Management

2009-06-16T13:02:00.005-06:00

There are times when life can get hectic. How can we avoid getting stressed out? This lecture below explains how stress affects people and a summary of how to reduce stress on our lives.

A lecturer when explaining stress management to an audience,raised a glass of water and asked 'How heavy is this glass of water?' Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g. The lecturer replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it.

If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.
If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.
If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.

In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.' He continued, 'And that's the way it is with stress management.
If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, As the burden becomes increasingly heavy, We won't be able to carry on.'

'As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden.'

'So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can.' Put down anything that may be a burden to you right now. Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.

Here are some great ways of dealing with the stress of life:

* Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

* Always keep your words soft and sweet, Just in case you have to eat them.

* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to be kind to others.

* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

* The second mouse gets the cheese.

* You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

* We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

The Beauty of Mathematics

2009-06-08T23:10:00.005-06:00

Here's an interesting way to look at the beauty of mathematics and our heavenly father, the sum of all wonders. This is really cool!!

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 987 65
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn’t it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321

Now, take a look at this…

101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to

GIVE OVER 100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here’s a little mathematical formula that might help

Answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

If:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will
Get you there, It’s the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Twinkies and a Root Beer

2009-05-30T00:45:00.003-06:00

I received this one in my email box. I thought it was cute.

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. The man was sitting in the park just feeding some pigeons.

The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.

The man gratefully accepted it and smiled at boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer.

Again, the man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the man, and gave him a hug. The man gave him his biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?

"He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? God's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen."

Meanwhile, the elderly man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked," Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"

He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added," You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!

The Story

2009-05-12T23:11:00.001-06:00

The following story is Author Unknown

After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's Pastor slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit and, before he gave his sermon for the evening, briefly introduced a guest Minister who was in the service that evening. In the introduction, the Pastor told the congregation that the guest Minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service. With that, the elderly gentleman stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak.

"A father, and his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific coast," he began... "when a fast storm blocked any attempt to get back to the shore. The waves were so high, even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized."

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story. The aged minister continued with his story...

"Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy would he throw the end of the life line? He had only seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian and he also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves.

As the father yelled out 'I Love You, Son!' he threw out the life line to his son's friend. By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black night. His body was never recovered," the old man said sadly.

By this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old Minister's mouth.

"The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed is son to save the son's friend. How great is the love of God that he should do the same for us? Our Heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten Son so that we could be saved. I urge you to accept His offer to rescue you and take hold of the life line He is throwing out to you in this service."

With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. The Pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon with an invitation at the end. However, no one responded to the appeal. But, within moments after the service ended, the two boys were at the old man's side.

"That was a nice story," politely stated one of the boys, "but, I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son's life in hopes that the other would become a Christian."

"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. As a big smile broadened his narrow face, he looked up again at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But, I'm here today to tell you this story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His only Son for me. You see... I was that father, and your Pastor is my son's friend."

Positive Words

2009-05-08T18:09:00.004-06:00

I was at a meeting today where the speaker was talking about negative self talk. The speaker was encouraging the audience to turn each negative into a positive. For example; "I only exercised once this week." Turn that into, "I exercised this week!" You can apply that to many things in life. Negative self talk only hurts you. Turn those words around to be a positive.

If my posts are lacking images this week, it's because my computer is in for repair. Yeah...I will have a good working computer. Voila - my negative is now a positive. Live with Passion!!

The U in Jesus

2009-05-03T16:15:00.003-06:00

Here's a little author unknown poem that showed up in my email box. I like the way the author has used the "U" as "You" to make a point. It's all up to U.

The U in Jesus

Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son.

And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.

You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.

And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.

Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?

The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
And this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.

When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.

'Go into the world and tell them it's true
That I love them all - Just like I love U.'

So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?

It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know,
But it all starts with U.

God's Gifts

2009-05-01T22:05:00.005-06:00

"The gifts and calling of God are without repentance." This scripture is found in Romans 11:29. In other words, when God gives you a gift and a calling on your life, He doesn't take it back. Here's how it reads in the amplified version; "For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]" So, even if you are not walking in your calling right now or and not using your gifts, God doesn't take them away from you. Even if you have walked away from God, His grace is available for you. You can walk right back to God and He will accept us. You can walk back into the calling that God has for you and walk into your purpose in life.

Fear

2009-04-18T23:08:00.004-06:00

There are some very unusual phobias that people have. Many of these fears either stem from some childhood incident of simply a non-real fear in their head. Fear as the dictionary describes it is as a feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger. (dictionary.com) Many of these fears are only perceived threats or danger. Did you know that the fear of failure even has a name? Atychiphobia- Fear of failure. There is even a fear of computers!! Logizomechanophobia- Fear of computers. As Christians, we have the power over fears that come up in our lives. Notice that we can put a name to these fears. The name of Jesus is above every name. Even the names of fears that try to hold us captive.

Ablutophobia- Fear of washing or bathing.
Acarophobia- Fear of itching or of the insects that cause itching.
Acerophobia- Fear of sourness.
Achluophobia- Fear of darkness.
Acousticophobia- Fear of noise.
Acrophobia- Fear of heights.
Aerophobia- Fear of drafts, air swallowing, or airborne noxious substances.
Aeroacrophobia- Fear of open high places.
Aeronausiphobia- Fear of vomiting secondary to airsickness.
Agateophobia- Fear of insanity.
Agliophobia- Fear of pain.
Agoraphobia- Fear of open spaces or of being in crowded, public places like markets. Fear of leaving a safe place.
Agraphobia- Fear of sexual abuse.
Agrizoophobia- Fear of wild animals.
Agyrophobia- Fear of streets or crossing the street.
Aichmophobia- Fear of needles or pointed objects.
Ailurophobia- Fear of cats.
Albuminurophobia- Fear of kidney disease.
Alektorophobia- Fear of chickens.
Algophobia- Fear of pain.
Alliumphobia- Fear of garlic.
Allodoxaphobia- Fear of opinions.
Altophobia- Fear of heights.
Amathophobia- Fear of dust.
Amaxophobia- Fear of riding in a car.
Ambulophobia- Fear of walking.
Amnesiphobia- Fear of amnesia.
Amychophobia- Fear of scratches or being scratched.
Anablephobia- Fear of looking up.
Ancraophobia- Fear of wind. (Anemophobia)
Androphobia- Fear of men.
Anemophobia- Fear of air drafts or wind.(Ancraophobia)
Anginophobia- Fear of angina, choking or narrowness.
Anglophobia- Fear of England or English culture, etc.
Angrophobia - Fear of anger or of becoming angry.
Ankylophobia- Fear of immobility of a joint.
Anthrophobia or Anthophobia- Fear of flowers.
Anthropophobia- Fear of people or society.
Antlophobia- Fear of floods.
Anuptaphobia- Fear of staying single.
Apeirophobia- Fear of infinity.
Aphenphosmphobia- Fear of being touched. (Haphephobia)
Apiphobia- Fear of bees.
Apotemnophobia- Fear of persons with amputations.
Arachibutyrophobia- Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth.
Arachnephobia or Arachnophobia- Fear of spiders.
Arithmophobia- Fear of numbers.
Arrhenphobia- Fear of men.
Arsonphobia- Fear of fire.
Asthenophobia- Fear of fainting or weakness.
Astraphobia or Astrapophobia- Fear of thunder and lightning.(Ceraunophobia, Keraunophobia)
Astrophobia- Fear of stars or celestial space.
Asymmetriphobia- Fear of asymmetrical things.
Ataxiophobia- Fear of ataxia. (muscular incoordination)
Ataxophobia- Fear of disorder or untidiness.
Atelophobia- Fear of imperfection.
Atephobia- Fear of ruin or ruins.
Athazagoraphobia- Fear of being forgotton or ignored or forgetting.
Atomosophobia- Fear of atomic explosions.
Atychiphobia- Fear of failure.
Aulophobia- Fear of flutes.
Aurophobia- Fear of gold.
Auroraphobia- Fear of Northern lights.
Autodysomophobia- Fear of one that has a vile odor.
Automatonophobia- Fear of ventriloquist's dummies, animatronic creatures, wax statues - anything that falsly represents a sentient being.
Automysophobia- Fear of being dirty.
Autophobia- Fear of being alone or of oneself.
Aviophobia or Aviatophobia- Fear of flying.
Bacillophobia- Fear of microbes.
Bacteriophobia- Fear of bacteria.
Ballistophobia- Fear of missiles or bullets.
Bolshephobia- Fear of Bolsheviks.
Barophobia- Fear of gravity.
Basophobia or Basiphobia- Inability to stand. Fear of walking or falling.
Bathmophobia- Fear of stairs or steep slopes.
Bathophobia- Fear of depth.
Batophobia- Fear of heights or being close to high buildings.
Batrachophobia- Fear of amphibians, such as frogs, newts, salamanders, etc.
Belonephobia- Fear of pins and needles. (Aichmophobia)
Bibliophobia- Fear of books.
Blennophobia- Fear of slime.
Bogyphobia- Fear of bogeys or the bogeyman.
Botanophobia- Fear of plants.
Bromidrosiphobia or Bromidrophobia- Fear of body smells.
Brontophobia- Fear of thunder and lightning.
Bufonophobia- Fear of toads.
Cacophobia- Fear of ugliness.
Cainophobia or Cainotophobia- Fear of newness, novelty.
Caligynephobia- Fear of beautiful women.
Cancerophobia or Carcinophobia- Fear of cancer.
Cardiophobia- Fear of the heart.
Carnophobia- Fear of meat.
Catagelophobia- Fear of being ridiculed.
Catapedaphobia- Fear of jumping from high and low places.
Cathisophobia- Fear of sitting.
Catoptrophobia- Fear of mirrors.
Cenophobia or Centophobia- Fear of new things or ideas.
Ceraunophobia or Keraunophobia- Fear of thunder and lightning.(Astraphobia, Astrapophobia)
Chaetophobia- Fear of hair.
Cheimaphobia or Cheimatophobia- Fear of cold.(Frigophobia, Psychophobia)
Chemophobia- Fear of chemicals or working with chemicals.
Cherophobia- Fear of gaiety.
Chionophobia- Fear of snow.
Chiraptophobia- Fear of being touched.
Chirophobia- Fear of hands.
Cholerophobia- Fear of anger or the fear of cholera.
Chorophobia- Fear of dancing.
Chrometophobia or Chrematophobia- Fear of money.
Chromophobia or Chromatophobia- Fear of colors.
Chronophobia- Fear of time.
Chronomentrophobia- Fear of clocks.
Cibophobia- Fear of food.(Sitophobia, Sitiophobia)
Claustrophobia- Fear of confined spaces.
Cleithrophobia or Cleisiophobia- Fear of being locked in an enclosed place.
Cleptophobia- Fear of stealing.
Climacophobia- Fear of stairs, climbing, or of falling downstairs.
Clinophobia- Fear of going to bed.
Clithrophobia or Cleithrophobia- Fear of being enclosed.
Cnidophobia- Fear of stings.
Cometophobia- Fear of comets.
Coimetrophobia- Fear of cemeteries.
Coitophobia- Fear of coitus.
Contreltophobia- Fear of sexual abuse.
Coprastasophobia- Fear of constipation.
Coprophobia- Fear of feces.
Coulrophobia- Fear of clowns.
Counterphobia- The preference by a phobic for fearful situations.
Cremnophobia- Fear of precipices.
Cryophobia- Fear of extreme cold, ice or frost.
Crystallophobia- Fear of crystals or glass.
Cyberphobia- Fear of computers or working on a computer.
Cyclophobia- Fear of bicycles.
Cymophobia or Kymophobia- Fear of waves or wave like motions.
Cynophobia- Fear of dogs or rabies.
Cypridophobia or Cypriphobia or Cyprianophobia or Cyprinophobia - Fear of prostitutes or venereal disease.
Decidophobia- Fear of making decisions.
Defecaloesiophobia- Fear of painful bowels movements.
Deipnophobia- Fear of dining or dinner conversations.
Dementophobia- Fear of insanity.
Demonophobia or Daemonophobia- Fear of demons.
Demophobia- Fear of crowds. (Agoraphobia)
Dendrophobia- Fear of trees.
Dentophobia- Fear of dentists.
Dermatophobia- Fear of skin lesions.
Dermatosiophobia or Dermatophobia or Dermatopathophobia- Fear of skin disease.
Dextrophobia- Fear of objects at the right side of the body.
Diabetophobia- Fear of diabetes.
Didaskaleinophobia- Fear of going to school.
Dikephobia- Fear of justice.
Dinophobia- Fear of dizziness or whirlpools.
Diplophobia- Fear of double vision.
Dipsophobia- Fear of drinking.
Dishabiliophobia- Fear of undressing in front of someone.
Domatophobia- Fear of houses or being in a house.(Eicophobia, Oikophobia)
Doraphobia- Fear of fur or skins of animals.
Doxophobia- Fear of expressing opinions or of receiving praise.
Dromophobia- Fear of crossing streets.
Dutchphobia- Fear of the Dutch.
Dysmorphophobia- Fear of deformity.
Dystychiphobia- Fear of accidents.
Ecclesiophobia- Fear of church.
Ecophobia- Fear of home.
Eicophobia- Fear of home surroundings.(Domatophobia, Oikophobia)
Eisoptrophobia- Fear of mirrors or of seeing oneself in a mirror.
Electrophobia- Fear of electricity.
Eleutherophobia- Fear of freedom.
Elurophobia- Fear of cats. (Ailurophobia)
Emetophobia- Fear of vomiting.
Enetophobia- Fear of pins.
Enochlophobia- Fear of crowds.
Enosiophobia or Enissophobia- Fear of having committed an unpardonable sin or of criticism.
Entomophobia- Fear of insects.
Eosophobia- Fear of dawn or daylight.
Ephebiphobia- Fear of teenagers.
Epistaxiophobia- Fear of nosebleeds.
Epistemophobia- Fear of knowledge.
Equinophobia- Fear of horses.
Eremophobia- Fear of being oneself or of lonliness.
Ereuthrophobia- Fear of blushing.
Ergasiophobia- 1) Fear of work or functioning. 2) Surgeon's fear of operating.
Ergophobia- Fear of work.
Erotophobia- Fear of sexual love or sexual questions.
Euphobia- Fear of hearing good news.
Eurotophobia- Fear of female genitalia.
Erythrophobia or Erytophobia or Ereuthophobia- 1) Fear of redlights. 2) Blushing. 3) Red.
Febriphobia or Fibriphobia or Fibriophobia- Fear of fever.
Felinophobia- Fear of cats. (Ailurophobia, Elurophobia, Galeophobia, Gatophobia)
Francophobia- Fear of France or French culture. (Gallophobia, Galiophobia)
Frigophobia- Fear of cold or cold things.(Cheimaphobia, Cheimatophobia, Psychrophobia)
Galeophobia or Gatophobia- Fear of cats.
Gallophobia or Galiophobia- Fear France or French culture. (Francophobia)
Gamophobia- Fear of marriage.
Geliophobia- Fear of laughter.
Geniophobia- Fear of chins.
Genophobia- Fear of sex.
Genuphobia- Fear of knees.
Gephyrophobia or Gephydrophobia or Gephysrophobia- Fear of crossing bridges.
Germanophobia- Fear of Germany or German culture.
Gerascophobia- Fear of growing old.
Gerontophobia- Fear of old people or of growing old.
Geumaphobia or Geumophobia- Fear of taste.
Glossophobia- Fear of speaking in public or of trying to speak.
Gnosiophobia- Fear of knowledge.
Graphophobia- Fear of writing or handwriting.
Gymnophobia- Fear of nudity.
Gynephobia or Gynophobia- Fear of women.
Hadephobia- Fear of hell.
Hagiophobia- Fear of saints or holy things.
Hamartophobia- Fear of sinning.
Haphephobia or Haptephobia- Fear of being touched.
Harpaxophobia- Fear of being robbed.
Hedonophobia- Fear of feeling pleasure.
Heliophobia- Fear of the sun.
Hellenologophobia- Fear of Greek terms or complex scientific terminology.
Helminthophobia- Fear of being infested with worms.
Hemophobia or Hemaphobia or Hematophobia- Fear of blood.
Heresyphobia or Hereiophobia- Fear of challenges to official doctrine or of radical deviation.
Herpetophobia- Fear of reptiles or creepy, crawly things.
Heterophobia- Fear of the opposite sex. (Sexophobia)
Hierophobia- Fear of priests or sacred things.
Hippophobia- Fear of horses.
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia- Fear of long words.
Hobophobia- Fear of bums or beggars.
Hodophobia- Fear of road travel.
Hormephobia- Fear of shock.
Homichlophobia- Fear of fog.
Homilophobia- Fear of sermons.
Hominophobia- Fear of men.
Homophobia- Fear of sameness, monotony or of homosexuality or of becoming homosexual.
Hoplophobia- Fear of firearms.
Hydrargyophobia- Fear of mercurial medicines.
Hydrophobia- Fear of water or of rabies.
Hydrophobophobia- Fear of rabies.
Hyelophobia or Hyalophobia- Fear of glass.
Hygrophobia- Fear of liquids, dampness, or moisture.
Hylephobia- Fear of materialism or the fear of epilepsy.
Hylophobia- Fear of forests.
Hypengyophobia or Hypegiaphobia- Fear of responsibility.
Hypnophobia- Fear of sleep or of being hypnotized.
Hypsiphobia- Fear of height.
Iatrophobia- Fear of going to the doctor or of doctors.
Ichthyophobia- Fear of fish.
Ideophobia- Fear of ideas.
Illyngophobia- Fear of vertigo or feeling dizzy when looking down.
Iophobia- Fear of poison.
Insectophobia - Fear of insects.
Isolophobia- Fear of solitude, being alone.
Isopterophobia- Fear of termites, insects that eat wood.
Ithyphallophobia- Fear of seeing, thinking about or having an erect penis.
Japanophobia- Fear of Japanese.
Judeophobia- Fear of Jews.
Kainolophobia or Kainophobia- Fear of anything new, novelty.
Kakorrhaphiophobia- Fear of failure or defeat.
Katagelophobia- Fear of ridicule.
Kathisophobia- Fear of sitting down.
Kenophobia- Fear of voids or empty spaces.
Keraunophobia or Ceraunophobia- Fear of thunder and lightning.(Astraphobia, Astrapophobia)
Kinetophobia or Kinesophobia- Fear of movement or motion.
Kleptophobia- Fear of stealing.
Koinoniphobia- Fear of rooms.
Kolpophobia- Fear of genitals, particularly female.
Kopophobia- Fear of fatigue.
Koniophobia- Fear of dust. (Amathophobia)
Kosmikophobia- Fear of cosmic phenomenon.
Kymophobia- Fear of waves. (Cymophobia)
Kynophobia- Fear of rabies.
Kyphophobia- Fear of stooping.
Lachanophobia- Fear of vegetables.
Laliophobia or Lalophobia- Fear of speaking.
Leprophobia or Lepraphobia- Fear of leprosy.
Leukophobia- Fear of the color white.
Levophobia- Fear of things to the left side of the body.
Ligyrophobia- Fear of loud noises.
Lilapsophobia- Fear of tornadoes and hurricanes.
Limnophobia- Fear of lakes.
Linonophobia- Fear of string.
Liticaphobia- Fear of lawsuits.
Lockiophobia- Fear of childbirth.
Logizomechanophobia- Fear of computers.
Logophobia- Fear of words.
Luiphobia- Fear of lues, syphillis.
Lutraphobia- Fear of otters.
Lygophobia- Fear of darkness.
Lyssophobia- Fear of rabies or of becoming mad.
Macrophobia- Fear of long waits.
Mageirocophobia- Fear of cooking.
Maieusiophobia- Fear of childbirth.
Malaxophobia- Fear of love play. (Sarmassophobia)
Maniaphobia- Fear of insanity.
Mastigophobia- Fear of punishment.
Mechanophobia- Fear of machines.
Medomalacuphobia- Fear of losing an erection.
Medorthophobia- Fear of an erect penis.
Megalophobia- Fear of large things.
Melissophobia- Fear of bees.
Melanophobia- Fear of the color black.
Melophobia- Fear or hatred of music.
Meningitophobia- Fear of brain disease.
Menophobia- Fear of menstruation.
Merinthophobia- Fear of being bound or tied up.
Metallophobia- Fear of metal.
Metathesiophobia- Fear of changes.
Meteorophobia- Fear of meteors.
Methyphobia- Fear of alcohol.
Metrophobia- Fear or hatred of poetry.
Microbiophobia- Fear of microbes. (Bacillophobia)
Microphobia- Fear of small things.
Misophobia or Mysophobia- Fear of being contaminated with dirt or germs.
Mnemophobia- Fear of memories.
Molysmophobia or Molysomophobia- Fear of dirt or contamination.
Monophobia- Fear of solitude or being alone.
Monopathophobia- Fear of definite disease.
Motorphobia- Fear of automobiles.
Mottephobia- Fear of moths.
Musophobia or Muriphobia- Fear of mice.
Mycophobia- Fear or aversion to mushrooms.
Mycrophobia- Fear of small things.
Myctophobia- Fear of darkness.
Myrmecophobia- Fear of ants.
Mythophobia- Fear of myths or stories or false statements.
Myxophobia- Fear of slime. (Blennophobia)
Nebulaphobia- Fear of fog. (Homichlophobia)
Necrophobia- Fear of death or dead things.
Nelophobia- Fear of glass.
Neopharmaphobia- Fear of new drugs.
Neophobia- Fear of anything new.
Nephophobia- Fear of clouds.
Noctiphobia- Fear of the night.
Nomatophobia- Fear of names.
Nosocomephobia- Fear of hospitals.
Nosophobia or Nosemaphobia- Fear of becoming ill.
Nostophobia- Fear of returning home.
Novercaphobia- Fear of your step-mother.
Nucleomituphobia- Fear of nuclear weapons.
Nudophobia- Fear of nudity.
Numerophobia- Fear of numbers.
Nyctohylophobia- Fear of dark wooded areas or of forests at night
Nyctophobia- Fear of the dark or of night.
Obesophobia- Fear of gaining weight.(Pocrescophobia)
Ochlophobia- Fear of crowds or mobs.
Ochophobia- Fear of vehicles.
Octophobia - Fear of the figure 8.
Odontophobia- Fear of teeth or dental surgery.
Odynophobia or Odynephobia- Fear of pain. (Algophobia)
Oenophobia- Fear of wines.
Oikophobia- Fear of home surroundings, house.(Domatophobia, Eicophobia)
Olfactophobia- Fear of smells.
Ombrophobia- Fear of rain or of being rained on.
Ommetaphobia or Ommatophobia- Fear of eyes.
Oneirophobia- Fear of dreams.
Oneirogmophobia- Fear of wet dreams.
Onomatophobia- Fear of hearing a certain word or of names.
Ophidiophobia- Fear of snakes. (Snakephobia)
Ophthalmophobia- Fear of being stared at.
Opiophobia- Fear medical doctors experience of prescribing needed pain medications for patients.
Optophobia- Fear of opening one's eyes.
Ornithophobia- Fear of birds.
Orthophobia- Fear of property.
Osmophobia or Osphresiophobia- Fear of smells or odors.
Ostraconophobia- Fear of shellfish.
Ouranophobia or Uranophobia- Fear of heaven.
Pagophobia- Fear of ice or frost.
Panthophobia- Fear of suffering and disease.
Panophobia or Pantophobia- Fear of everything.
Papaphobia- Fear of the Pope.
Papyrophobia- Fear of paper.
Paralipophobia- Fear of neglecting duty or responsibility.
Paraphobia- Fear of sexual perversion.
Parasitophobia- Fear of parasites.
Paraskavedekatriaphobia- Fear of Friday the 13th.
Parthenophobia- Fear of virgins or young girls.
Pathophobia- Fear of disease.
Patroiophobia- Fear of heredity.
Parturiphobia- Fear of childbirth.
Peccatophobia- Fear of sinning or imaginary crimes.
Pediculophobia- Fear of lice.
Pediophobia- Fear of dolls.
Pedophobia- Fear of children.
Peladophobia- Fear of bald people.
Pellagrophobia- Fear of pellagra.
Peniaphobia- Fear of poverty.
Pentheraphobia- Fear of mother-in-law. (Novercaphobia)
Phagophobia- Fear of swallowing or of eating or of being eaten.
Phalacrophobia- Fear of becoming bald.
Phallophobia- Fear of a penis, esp erect.
Pharmacophobia- Fear of taking medicine.
Phasmophobia- Fear of ghosts.
Phengophobia- Fear of daylight or sunshine.
Philemaphobia or Philematophobia- Fear of kissing.
Philophobia- Fear of falling in love or being in love.
Philosophobia- Fear of philosophy.
Phobophobia- Fear of phobias.
Photoaugliaphobia- Fear of glaring lights.
Photophobia- Fear of light.
Phonophobia- Fear of noises or voices or one's own voice; of telephones.
Phronemophobia- Fear of thinking.
Phthiriophobia- Fear of lice. (Pediculophobia)
Phthisiophobia- Fear of tuberculosis.
Placophobia- Fear of tombstones.
Plutophobia- Fear of wealth.
Pluviophobia- Fear of rain or of being rained on.
Pneumatiphobia- Fear of spirits.
Pnigophobia or Pnigerophobia- Fear of choking of being smothered.
Pocrescophobia- Fear of gaining weight. (Obesophobia)
Pogonophobia- Fear of beards.
Poliosophobia- Fear of contracting poliomyelitis.
Politicophobia- Fear or abnormal dislike of politicians.
Polyphobia- Fear of many things.
Poinephobia- Fear of punishment.
Ponophobia- Fear of overworking or of pain.
Porphyrophobia- Fear of the color purple.
Potamophobia- Fear of rivers or running water.
Potophobia- Fear of alcohol.
Pharmacophobia- Fear of drugs.
Proctophobia- Fear of rectums.
Prosophobia- Fear of progress.
Psellismophobia- Fear of stuttering.
Psychophobia- Fear of mind.
Psychrophobia- Fear of cold.
Pteromerhanophobia- Fear of flying.
Pteronophobia- Fear of being tickled by feathers.
Pupaphobia - Fear of puppets.
Pyrexiophobia- Fear of Fever.
Pyrophobia- Fear of fire.
Radiophobia- Fear of radiation, x-rays.
Ranidaphobia- Fear of frogs.
Rectophobia- Fear of rectum or rectal diseases.
Rhabdophobia- Fear of being severely punished or beaten by a rod, or of being severely criticized. Also fear of magic.(wand)
Rhypophobia- Fear of defecation.
Rhytiphobia- Fear of getting wrinkles.
Rupophobia- Fear of dirt.
Russophobia- Fear of Russians.
Samhainophobia: Fear of Halloween.
Sarmassophobia- Fear of love play. (Malaxophobia)
Satanophobia- Fear of Satan.
Scabiophobia- Fear of scabies.
Scatophobia- Fear of fecal matter.
Scelerophibia- Fear of bad men, burglars.
Sciophobia Sciaphobia- Fear of shadows.
Scoleciphobia- Fear of worms.
Scolionophobia- Fear of school.
Scopophobia or Scoptophobia- Fear of being seen or stared at.
Scotomaphobia- Fear of blindness in visual field.
Scotophobia- Fear of darkness. (Achluophobia)
Scriptophobia- Fear of writing in public.
Selachophobia- Fear of sharks.
Selaphobia- Fear of light flashes.
Selenophobia- Fear of the moon.
Seplophobia- Fear of decaying matter.
Sesquipedalophobia- Fear of long words.
Sexophobia- Fear of the opposite sex. (Heterophobia)
Siderodromophobia- Fear of trains, railroads or train travel.
Siderophobia- Fear of stars.
Sinistrophobia- Fear of things to the left or left-handed.
Sinophobia- Fear of Chinese, Chinese culture.
Sitophobia or Sitiophobia- Fear of food or eating. (Cibophobia)
Snakephobia- Fear of snakes. (Ophidiophobia)
Soceraphobia- Fear of parents-in-law.
Social Phobia- Fear of being evaluated negatively in social situations.
Sociophobia- Fear of society or people in general.
Somniphobia- Fear of sleep.
Sophophobia- Fear of learning.
Soteriophobia - Fear of dependence on others.
Spacephobia- Fear of outer space.
Spectrophobia- Fear of specters or ghosts.
Spermatophobia or Spermophobia- Fear of germs.
Spheksophobia- Fear of wasps.
Stasibasiphobia or Stasiphobia- Fear of standing or walking. (Ambulophobia)
Staurophobia- Fear of crosses or the crucifix.
Stenophobia- Fear of narrow things or places.
Stygiophobia or Stigiophobia- Fear of hell.
Suriphobia- Fear of mice.
Symbolophobia- Fear of symbolism.
Symmetrophobia- Fear of symmetry.
Syngenesophobia- Fear of relatives.
Syphilophobia- Fear of syphilis.
Tachophobia- Fear of speed.
Taeniophobia or Teniophobia- Fear of tapeworms.
Taphephobia Taphophobia- Fear of being buried alive or of cemeteries.
Tapinophobia- Fear of being contagious.
Taurophobia- Fear of bulls.
Technophobia- Fear of technology.
Teleophobia- 1) Fear of definite plans. 2) Religious ceremony.
Telephonophobia- Fear of telephones.
Teratophobia- Fear of bearing a deformed child or fear of monsters or deformed people.
Testophobia- Fear of taking tests.
Tetanophobia- Fear of lockjaw, tetanus.
Teutophobia- Fear of German or German things.
Textophobia- Fear of certain fabrics.
Thaasophobia- Fear of sitting.
Thalassophobia- Fear of the sea.
Thanatophobia or Thantophobia- Fear of death or dying.
Theatrophobia- Fear of theatres.
Theologicophobia- Fear of theology.
Theophobia- Fear of gods or religion.
Thermophobia- Fear of heat.
Tocophobia- Fear of pregnancy or childbirth.
Tomophobia- Fear of surgical operations.
Tonitrophobia- Fear of thunder.
Topophobia- Fear of certain places or situations, such as stage fright.
Toxiphobia or Toxophobia or Toxicophobia- Fear of poison or of being accidently poisoned.
Traumatophobia- Fear of injury.
Tremophobia- Fear of trembling.
Trichinophobia- Fear of trichinosis.
Trichopathophobia or Trichophobia- Fear of hair. (Chaetophobia, Hypertrichophobia)
Triskaidekaphobia- Fear of the number 13.
Tropophobia- Fear of moving or making changes.
Trypanophobia- Fear of injections.
Tuberculophobia- Fear of tuberculosis.
Tyrannophobia- Fear of tyrants.
Uranophobia or Ouranophobia- Fear of heaven.
Urophobia- Fear of urine or urinating.
Vaccinophobia- Fear of vaccination.
Venustraphobia- Fear of beautiful women.
Verbophobia- Fear of words.
Verminophobia- Fear of germs.
Vestiphobia- Fear of clothing.
Virginitiphobia- Fear of rape.
Vitricophobia- Fear of step-father.
Walloonphobia- Fear of the Walloons.
Wiccaphobia: Fear of witches and witchcraft.
Xanthophobia- Fear of the color yellow or the word yellow.
Xenoglossophobia- Fear of foreign languages.
Xenophobia- Fear of strangers or foreigners.
Xerophobia- Fear of dryness.
Xylophobia- 1) Fear of wooden objects. 2) Fear of forests.
Xyrophobia-Fear of razors.
Zelophobia- Fear of jealousy.
Zeusophobia- Fear of God or gods.
Zemmiphobia- Fear of the great mole rat.
Zoophobia- Fear of animals.

Joyce Meyer is an awesome author. She has many books that deal with overcoming fear and having faith in God to overcome.

18 Things We Can Learn From a Dog

2009-04-18T22:06:00.005-06:00

It's amazing how much joy a dog will get out of life. There is alot that we can learn from furry companions. Only if we could view life with as much joy as a dog. Here are 18 things that we can learn from a dog - if you don't own a dog, just observe the neighbors dog.

1. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

2. Allow the experience of fresh air and wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

3. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

4. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

5. Let others know when they have invaded your territory.

6. Take naps and stretch before arising.

7. Run, romp, and play daily.

8. Eat with gusto and enthuiasm.

9. Be loyal.

10. Never pretend to be something you're not.

11. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

12. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

13. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

14. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

15. On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.

16. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

17. No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends.

18. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Kept by God

2009-04-15T09:00:00.003-06:00

Everyone gets those days when things just aren't turning out right. What good does it do to mope, complain or get angry about it. That doesn't do any good! That is really when we should be turning to God for his help and wisdom on the situation. (I hope that's not the only time we turn to him)
God has definitely given me strength, wisdom, endurance, financial means and many other things in a time of need. I can recount many times in my life where things would have turned out so different if I hadn't called on God in my time of need. I could be hopeless and disheartened. Instead, I am hopeful and lighthearted.

I just received the following little poem into my email box:

I Am a 'Kept ' Woman?
You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose 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. (Genesis 28:15)
At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,
But the LORD kept my mouth shut.. (Psalm 13)
Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough,
But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matthew 6:25 -34)
When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up.
When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28-30)
I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!
I'm blessed to be 'kept '
Do you know a 'kept ' woman?
If so pass it on to her to let her know she is 'Kept '
I'm "Kept" by the Love and Grace of God

Happy Easter Everyone!

2009-04-10T20:09:00.003-06:00

Happy Easter and Happy Resurrection Day!!

Enjoy the day with your family and friends and celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I still enjoy the Easter Chocolate and egg hunts, but I always make sure that I remember the reason that Easter came about. Jesus died and was buried in a tomb, he rose again on the third day. The purpose of his dying on the cross was to take away the sins of mankind. John 3:16 says, For God so loved the World that He gave his only Son that who ever believes on Him should have everlasting life."

Jesus on the baseball field

2009-04-06T17:17:00.004-06:00

Did you know that the Colorado Rockies Baseball Team have a "Faith Day"? Many of the players are Christians who share their faith at this event. It's a promotion targeted at the Christian population. Tickets are discounted for Church groups. During the post-game show, christian bands are featured. This is also when players get to talk about their faith in God. I think it's great to see major league teams "step up to the plate" with regards to their beliefs.

Beautiful LIfe

2009-04-04T23:42:00.002-06:00

I have been nearly absent from the internet for days at a time while slaying viruses on my system. It looks like it will be a full re-install to rid of the trojans that enjoy a free ride in my system folders. It's been one of those interesting weeks that has me turning to good music to brighten my spirits.
I really like the song, Beautiful Life from Fisher. The first time I heard it was on a commercial for John and Kate Plus 8. Now, I have the favorite song on my ipod to listen to at will. Here it is the song on Youtube:

Beautiful Life
Hey child up and go
-Big world is out there waiting for us to
live in every day

Outside you will find
there is love all around you
-Takes you, makes you wanna' say

That it's a beautiful life
and it's a beautiful world
and it's a beautiful time
to be here, to be here, to be here

The sky's blue
-just us two
Side by side we'll see the world
that surrounds us
-Hey, seize the day

Each road - every mile's a photograph in motion
to astound us, carry us away

into a beautiful life
'Cause it's a beautiful world
and it's a beautiful time
to be here, to be here

Leave all your cares behind you
The sun is rising
Turn around -it's right in front of you
and it's a beautiful life
and it's a beautiful time
to be here, to be here, to be here

Something Missing?

2009-03-29T21:57:00.004-06:00

I was listening to the radio in my vehicle the other day. There was a talk show on my regular station and I felt like listening to music. So, I flipped it over to the country station. As a new song was playing that I had not heard before, I listened intently to the words of the song. The lines that caught my attention were, "If your world's got something missing, put a girl in it." Now while that line sounds fine in the context of a country song, the words sounded hollow to me. I thought, what about God? If your world is missing something, put God in it. So, when the line came on again, I sang "put God in it".

The Glass is Half Full

2009-03-23T22:27:00.005-06:00

Here's a great inspiring quote:

"When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change." ~Wayne Dryer~

It's like looking at the glass as half full instead of half empty. Instead of seeing the negative, choose to see the positive. There's another way you can use this as well. Not only is this philosophy good for looking at the things in the present, but also the past. I believe that God can turn around bad situations so that something good can come out of it. If you are bothered by some of the bad situations you have had, perhaps you can see a ray of light in it. For example, maybe you were fired from a job, but this enabled you to get a much better job opportunity. It's often not apparent to you while in a rough situation, but after the dust settles, so to speak, see the good that can come out of it. Try to see the the positive side of things.

MP3 Player

2009-03-21T03:38:00.004-06:00

Check out the new MP3 player on the sidebar to your right. It's loaded with almost 100 different song selections!! Click the MP3 player to see the song list and to listen to the music. Finally - an MP3 player for blogs. You can listen while you read my blog. You can also buy the music tracks right from the player. If you want to get your own player for your blog or website, click on the amazon logo on the bottom of the MP3 player.

Kitty from heaven

2009-03-20T14:54:00.003-06:00

Here's not only a humourous story, but it's inspirational as well. It just shows how creative God can be. hahaha. What are you believing God for?

The pastor of a church had a mischievous kitten. One morning, the kitten climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc.

The kitty would not come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and drove away so that the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.
That`s what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car. He then figured if he went just a little bit further, the tree would bend sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved the car a little further forward, the rope broke. The tree went "bong!" and the kitten instantly sailed through the air-out of sight.

The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they`d seen a little kitten. No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten. So he prayed, "Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping," and went on about his business. A few days later, he was at the grocery store and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. This woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it. So he asked her, "Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?"

She replied, "You won`t believe this," and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing. Then a few days earlier, the child began to beg again. The Mom finally told her little girl, "Well, if God gives you a cat, I`ll let you keep it."

She told the pastor, "I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won`t believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her."

Never underestimate the Power of God and His unique sense of humor

Giving Blood to save his sister

2009-03-18T21:41:00.005-06:00

This author unknown email was sent to me. It just shows how much the little brother loved his sister.

Many years ago, a doctor working at Stanford Hospital got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies, needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save Liz."

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "When will it happen?"

"When will what happen?" Asked the doctor.

"Will I start to die right away?" Asked the boy.

Being young, you see, the boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood.

Template Generator

2009-03-16T23:12:00.008-06:00

Internet life (anything on the computer for that matter) can be a frustrating thing when dealing with viruses. It's pretty bad when blogger, facebook and amazon won't load properly! I just need to back it all up and do a re-install.

Speaking of internet life - and stuff on the internet. I found a great template generator to make your own template. Well - I know of a couple actually-but here's a favorite. You pick a template and then customize it to your liking. They are professional enough to use on a business site. All the templates here use stylesheets (CSS). I just looked up a simple CSS tutorial to find out how to use them.
So, here is the site:
Template Generator

Charles Schultz

2009-03-13T11:57:00.002-06:00

Charles Schulz Philosophy

The following is apparently the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the
"Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions.
Just read the message straight through and you'll get the idea.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and
actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are
no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the
applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and
certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Was that Easier?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the
ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They
are the ones that care.

Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life.
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow
in Australia." (Charles Schultz)

Just Relax

2009-03-11T23:44:00.004-06:00

It's amazing how busy people can get. Just this week, I have been incredibly busy with absolutely everything. I also was contending with viruses on my computer among other things. It's easy to get so frustrated and busy that we get wound up and anxious.

If you are having one of those incredibly busy and frustrating days, take a breather. Just relax and let God rejuvenate you.

If you are looking for a good read for one of those days that will motivate and lift you up, Joyce Meyer has some awesome books. She speaks to those who are feeling stressed, down on themselves and in need of encouragement

Legacy and the Future

2009-03-10T23:44:00.002-06:00

Quotes on Legacy and the Future:

"Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear."
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others."
~Pericles~

"Live with Passion and inspire the world around you" ~livewp~

A Jug of Milk

2009-03-07T21:14:00.004-07:00

Some of those email forwards are just plain annoying. Some of them are really funny jokes. Every now and then, a great inspirational or moving story shows up in my inbox. Here is one of those such stories.

A young man had been to Wednesday Night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, 'Does God still speak to people?'

After service, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.

It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, 'God...If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey.'

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a jug of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, 'God is that you?' He didn't get a reply and started on toward home. But again, the thought, buy a jug of milk.

The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli. 'Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.' It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the jug of milk and started off toward home.

As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, 'Turn Down that street.' This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street . At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, 'Okay, God, I will.'

He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi- commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed.

Again, he sensed something, 'Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street.' The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat.

'Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going
to be mad and I will look stupid.' Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk.

Finally, he opened the door, 'Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here.'

He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, 'Who is it? What do you want?' Then the door opened before the young man could get away.

The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. 'What is it?'

The young man thrust out the jug of milk, 'Here, I brought this to you.' The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking and half crying, 'We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk.'

His wife in the kitchen yelled out, 'I asked him to send an Angel with some milk. Are you an Angel?'

The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face.

He knew that God still answers prayers.

Live Out Loud

2009-03-06T21:37:00.004-07:00

Whenever I am driving, I always have on music. Sometimes it's the radio. Although, more often than not, it's my ipod plugged into the vehicle. I really love music. It's something that inspires me. One of my favorite singers is Stephen Curtis Chapman. The song, "Live Out Loud" came on and I turned it up. I am sure the other drivers were wondering about me as I bopped to the song. It's a great catchy song that talks about just what the title says, Living Out Loud. Meaning - We've been given the gift of life. We should be living and enjoying the life that our creator, God gave to us. Not only that, but we should be telling others about God's love. So, get excited, enjoy life, play some great tunes and tell others about God's love.

I was happy when I found that youtube had the video of the song so that I can share it with the world!

Faith

2009-03-05T23:51:00.002-07:00

God wants to bless his children and wants us to prosper - in life, in health, financially, in everything. Kenneth Copeland talks about the Faith movement. He talks about how God wants us to prosper.

Believing and Seeing

2009-03-04T22:11:00.003-07:00

"You can live opposite of what you profess,
but you cannot live opposite of what you believe."
~Dallas Willard~

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
~Henry David Thoreau~

Inspiring marathon team

2009-02-28T19:08:00.002-07:00

Ever thought of running a marathon with your family? The Hoyt family - Rick and Dick Hoyt run marathons together. They are very unique. Rick has a severe form of cerebral palsy. He spoke to his dad as a youngster through a computer that helps him communicate. He told his dad that he feels as though he doesn't have a disability when he is in a race. His dad, Dick pushes Rick's wheelchair through many marathons and triathlons. They are still racing today. Google Team Hoyt and you will see their website and schedule. They are a very inspiring duo. This Youtube video chronicles their journey. They are truly living life with Passion.

Laura Story - Passion and Purpose

2009-02-23T21:50:00.003-07:00

Singer and songwriter, Laura Story talks about her spiritual journey and about her music. She is following her purpose with passion. The song "Indescribable" that was originally recorded by Chris Tomlin was written by Laura Story.

She has a new CD that was released in 2008.

Chris Rice - The other side of the Radio

2009-02-22T23:32:00.002-07:00

Chris Rice is making a difference through his music. In his song, "The other side of the Radio", Chris wonders if his music is making a difference. Why would anyone care what he is saying? But maybe, he thinks, he is really making a difference! He's following his passion and making a difference.

Chris Rice - The other side of the Radio

Here I am on the other side of the radio
Wonderin' why I'm here and why anybody cares what I say
No I’m not a better man cause I'm singing my songs on the radio
Cause were all the same, at the end of the day

Now I imagine you on the other side of the radio
Doin' your homework or driving with your windows down on the freeway
I see you tappin' the wheel I see you bobbin' your head to the radio
Oh and it makes my day, to see that smile on your face
And in some small way, I remember my place

Cause it's you and me singing the same song right now
And maybe this will bring us together somehow
And maybe there's a million people all singing a long
Somebody started thinkin' about the third line
And maybe someone's saying a prayer for the first time
And that's enough reason to keep me singing my song,
Singing my songs, on the other side of the radio

Crank up the volume sing at the top of your lungs with the radio
Tune it in to some good news and laughing along with the DJ
We're changing somebody's world from the other side of the radio
Oh and it makes my day to see that smile on your face
And in some small way, I remember my place

Cause it's you and me singing the same song right now
And maybe this will bring us together somehow
And maybe there's a million people all singing a long
Somebody started thinkin' about the third line
And maybe someone's saying a prayer for the first time
And that's enough reason to keep me singing my song
Singing my song, on the other side of the radio (2X)

Dah Dah dah dah dah dah dah dah
Other Side of the Radio (3X)

How Great is Our God

2009-02-20T23:11:00.004-07:00

Chris Tomlin talks about his inspiration for the song, "How Great is Our God". Wow does he ever have a beautiful voice. I am listening to the song as I write today's post. If you want some great worship music, Chris Tomlin is one of the first that I would recommend. His music is powerfully heartfelt and moving.

How Great is Our God lyrics:

VERSE(1):
The splendor of a King,
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice,
And trembles at his voice

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

VERSE(2):
Age to age he stands
And time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, Three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb,
The Lion and the Lamb

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

CHORUS(2)
Name above all names
You are Worthy of all praise
and My heart will sing how great
Is our God
(x2)

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

~ Live passionately for God ~

God is Big Enough

2009-02-19T21:40:00.003-07:00

Do we really believe that God is big enough to handle things in life? Often times we put him in a box so to speak. We only want to give God part of our lives. He is a big God. We are the apple of his eye. He wants the best for us. Give him the opportunity to work in your life. Give him the chance to do something extraordinary in your life!

Ayiesha Woods is one of my favorite artists, have a listen to her song, "Big Enough"

Big Enough by Ayiesha Woods
You turned water into wine - how extraordinary
Gave sight to the blind - and still I carry
My own load when you told me
To take your yoke ‘cause yours is easy

And even though my issues seem trivial
You alone are never to imperial
Its just the way that you love me
Its enough to convince me

And I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't wanna believe
That you're big enough - but you're big enough yeah!

I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't understand that you're big enough
But you're big enough Jesus!

You turned darkness into light - keep my lamp burning
And you are my everything
There's no denying, your love is so amazing
And even though my problems seem typical
Nothing for you is ever too difficult
You never have reservations - love without limitations

And I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't wanna believe
That you're big enough - but you're big enough yeah!

And I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't understand
That you're big enough - but you're big enough

Oh, no matter how I try to get around it - I'm reminded
Wherever I go I'm totally surrounded
It's all about you - I can never doubt you
Even if I wanted to…

And I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't wanna believe
That you're big enough - but you're big enough yeah!

And I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't understand
That you're big enough - but you're big enough

That you're big enough
That you're big enough

That you're big enough
That you're big enough yeah!

Brandon Heath - Don't Get Comfortable

2009-02-17T00:08:00.004-07:00

Brandon Heath talks about his CD, "Don't get comfortable." I personally really enjoy his music.

Here are the lyrics to the title song, "Don't Get Comfortable"

NA na na na na na na na nanaaah
NA na na na na na na na nanaaah

Comfortable, don't get comfortable.
I am gonna' move this mountain then I'm gonna move you in.

Yesterday, this is not yesterday.
You were standing on my shoulders; now your standing on the edge.
You've been looking for a sign all this time.

I am gonna show you what I mean
I am gonna love like you've never seen
You are gonna live like you used to dream
This is your new song

So afraid but you don't have to be afraid
Even if you make mistakes
You know that I'll remain
You've been looking for a sign all this time.
If you seek you'll find me every time.

So I am gonna show you what I mean
I am gonna love like you've never seen
You are gonna live like you used to dream
THIS IS YOUR NEW SONG

Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
NA na na na na na na na nanaaah
NA na na na na na na na nanaaah

Can you feel the call of love?
Is it moving you to be a child of God of love?
Is it reaching you?
It's everywhere the call of love.

I just want to show you what I mean
I just want to love like you've never seen
Do you want to live like you used to dream?
Then I've got a song for you

Cuz I am gonna show you what I mean
I am gonna love like you've never seen
You are gonna live like you used to dream
This is your new song

NA na na na na na na na nanaaah
You've got a NEW SONG
NA na na na na na na na nanaaah

Good self image, Joyce Meyer

2009-02-16T23:19:00.004-07:00

Living with Passion begins with having a good self image. You need to accept who you are and enjoy where you are at. The Bible says to love others as you love yourself. Well, if you don't love yourself, how are you supposed to love others? Once you accept who you are, you can begin see a vision for your future.

Joyce Meyer talks about how a good self image will not only help you, but will help all of your relationships.

Joyce Meyer is a preacher, teacher and renowned author of many books

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T00:03:00.008-07:00

Speaking of passion, there is another kind of passion that people think about on February 14th.

Here is an adorable commercial about a little boy on Valentine's Day.

I Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

"Love is..." is a book about love, adapted from the King James Bible. Here is a detail of the book. "Subject of sonnets, songs, and soul searching, love is--and is not--many things. "Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious or boastful. Love is not arrogant or rude." In her adaptation of I Corinthians 13, Wendy Anderson Halperin presents the elegantly simple definition of the word "love" the apostle Paul offered 2,000 years ago. She features one of Paul's definitions on each whimsically illustrated two-page spread."

Passion and Purpose, - 33 Miles One Life to Live

2009-02-13T23:28:00.002-07:00

Info about 33 Miles:

Members:
Jason Barton
Chris Lockwood
Collin Stoddard

Lyrics to "One Life to Live"

He never thought he cared so much about the minute hand,
Until he started playing for a second chance,
If he could only do it all again,
He'd trade the long nights that he spent behind his desk,
For all he missed,
He tells his wife,
I wish that this moment in this room, was not me dying,
But just spending a little time with you

You only get just one time around,
You only get one shot at this,
One chance,
To find out,
The one thing that you don't wanna miss,
One day when its all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough,
This one ride,
One try,
One life,
To love.

She never thought she cared so much about those little hands,
That held on tight the day she left,
Til she was scared to death,
Sitting all alone on a hotel bed,
The end of the road,
The sun has set on her big plans,
To feel young again,
She picks up the phone,
Dials the number,
Hears that little voice,
That's haunted every single mile,
Since she made that choice,

You only get just one time around,
You only get one shot at this,
One chance,
To find out,
The one thing that you don't wanna miss,
One day when its all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough,
This one ride,
One try,
One life,
To love.

You only get just one time around,
You only get one shot at this,
One chance,
To find out the one thing
That you don't wanna miss,
One day when its all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough,
This one ride,
One try,
One life,
One ride,
One try,
One life,
To love,
To love,

33 Miles talks about their passion in this video:

Live With Passion - Discover your passion

2009-02-12T23:21:00.007-07:00

I have been reading alot about finding your passion, finding your purpose and discovering and living your dream. There are so many great books and resources on the subject. When you are passionate about something - it's generally something that you enjoy and you put alot of energy into. What are you passionate about? Sometimes we discover our passions by taking a closer look at our hobbies and interests. Take a look back at your childhood. What things did you love? One of the things that I am passionate about is writing. As a kid, I loved writing. I began a love of writing in grade two. I have developed and nourished that love of writing. While I don't write for a living, I get great pleasure out of putting thoughts on paper. Writing is a passion, but it isn't my only passion. Maybe your passion isn't writing, but something else that brings you great joy. Maybe you have a love of horses and are passionate about riding. A person who loves the outdoors might be passionate about camping, or outdoor adventures. Someone else might be passionate about helping and encouraging people. They might get pleasure out of volunteering or counseling. Passion is what drives us, energizes us and keeps us alive. Without our passions, life would be so mundane and boring. I challenge you to discover your passion.

The book, "life lessons for women" challenges us to ask ourselves, 'how can I incorporate passion and creativity into my everyday life.'

An exerpt out of "life lessons for women":
"If you are going to create a life you love and live fully, you have to make passion your middle name. Authentic passion is time-released to consistently energize your life. It's a kind of passion that nourishes and sustains you - a passion that will feed your soul."

The Pursuit of Purpose

2009-02-11T23:45:00.006-07:00

Have you ever laid awake in bed and just wondered what your purpose in life is? What is your destiny or your purpose? What can I use my talents and abilities for? Is this all there is? There have been myriads of books written on the subject, dozens of seminars taught on purpose and a few visions realized. It's powerful when you begin to think on your purpose and your destiny. Every person has the potential of greatness inside of them.

I really enjoy Myles Munro. He's an awesome teacher/author. His personal vision is transforming followers into leaders.
Dr. Myles Munro talks about the pursuit of purpose in the utube video below. In fact, he's written a book on the subject. He says that every human being no matter where they are on earth, at some point in their life asks five questions,
1. Who Am I? - a question of identity
2. Where Am I from? - A question of heritage
3. Why Am I here? - A question of purpose
4. What Can I do? - A question of potential
5. Where Am I going? - A question of destiny

The way we answer these questions, says Munroe, is why we are where we are in life. He says that if we don't get these questions answered, we won't live a full life.

Fulfill Your Dream

2009-02-10T23:14:00.003-07:00

Jesse Duplantis is a dynamic evangelist called to minister God's message of salvation through Jesus Christ to the world. Jesse softens the heart of those who hear him by being "real". When he preaches, he shares many of his true life anecdotes in an entertaining and rib tickling fashion. He's one of the most loved evangelical ministers with his unique and exhuberant preaching style. He's known for his tremendous joy and his funny life lessons.

The video below isn't one of his dynamic preaching, but an interview with CBN on his philosophies and beliefs.

In the utube video below, Jesse says, "I knew I had a destiny and a destination and I was gonna get there."

Fulfill Your Purpose

2009-02-09T00:13:00.003-07:00

Definition of purpose as stated in the dictionary: The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or a goal.

Everyone on earth has a purpose. There's a reason why you were born. You have an assignment for your life. You are not here by chance.

Psalm 139 verse 16 says,
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
Before a single day had passed.

Joel says in this CBN interview, "I feel like my message is to let people know that God is a good God, that He's on their side. And that no matter where they are in life, no matter what's happened that he's got a plan for them."

God's Love is Unconditional

2009-02-07T22:17:00.004-07:00

God's Love is unconditional. It doesn't depend on merit. God loves us no matter what. He doesn't judge us on whether we deserve his love or not. Aren't you glad that God doesn't love us with "human" love? We would have been toast long ago. God is a God of Mercy and a God of forgiveness. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Max Lucado talks about how John 3:16 summarizes the Bible's message. He talks about the love of God. "I think God intends for us to live life in complete awe of him, anticipating the wonders that await us after this world." One of the books he has written is "John 3:16 The numbers of hope."

You can check out Lucado's book, John 3:16 The numbers of Hope:

Don't Face Your Giants Without Facing God in Prayer

2009-02-05T23:40:00.004-07:00

Max Lucado is a well known author and storyteller. I like his illustration about the five stones. David as a boy, went out to face Goliath the giant who was blaspheming against God. He explains why David selected five stones to put in his pouch. The stones relate to our lives as we deal with the Giants in our lives.

1. The Past - dealing with our past
2. The stone of prayer - going to God
3. The stone of priority - What matters
4. The stone of Passion of life
5. the stone of persistence

Check out the video below where he explains it:

Don't let the giants in your life get the best of you. Go after Divorce, Drug Addiction, Debt and any other things that you face in your life.

Every Day Deserves a Chance

2009-02-04T00:39:00.005-07:00

Max Lucado's book, "Every Day Deserves a chance" sounds like a great read! I found this little exerpt on Max Lucado's website:
An exerpt from the book: "A brand-spanking-new, unsoiled, untouched, uncharted and unused day! A Gift of twenty-four unlived, unexplored hours. And if you can stack one good day on another and another, you will link together a good life."

I found this awesome "commercial" on utube. It's done in the old school style of cartoon commercials from the 1950s.

You can check out information on Max Lucado's book here:

Info on Max Lucado:
He's a very well known Best Selling Christian Author
He began publishing stories in a church newsletter. His passion for writing has turned into a literal phenomenon.

Encouraging Quotes

2009-02-03T23:53:00.005-07:00

Appreciation can make a day -
even change a life.
Your willingness to put it into
words is all that is necessary.
~Margaret Cousins~

I am only one; but still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
but still I can do something. I will not refuse
to do the something
I can do. ~Helen Keller~

Don't wait for something big to occur.
Start where you are, with what you have, and
that will always lead you into something greater.
~Mary Manin Morrissey~

If you think you're too small to
have an impact, try going to bed
with a mosquito.
~Anita Roddick~

When one door closes
another door opens; but we so often
look so long and so regretfully
upon the closed door, that we do
not see the ones which
open for us.
~Alexander Graham Bell~

It doesn't matter how many say it
cannot be done or how many people have tried
it before; it's important to realize that whatever
you're doing, it's your first attempt at it.
~Wally Amos~

Extreme Home Makeover Makes a Difference

2009-02-02T00:19:00.006-07:00

Have you ever watched the show, "Extreme Home Makeover"? It's not your typical home design show. Every show features a deserving family who has faced tough circumstances. The families typically are living in delapitated or inadequate homes for their family situations.

The well known, Ty Pennington and his cast of designers are featured in each show. In every show, the family is typically sent on a vacation while the crew of builders, contractors and designers rebuilds the home. The crew has a time crunch of one week to complete the massive project which sometimes includes other elements such as community centres or other additional projects that have meaning to the family.

Extreme Home makeover happens to be my favourite show. It's the only TV program that I will try to watch every week. This Sunday's episode was a two hour special. The team went to the town of Chapman to help the Tutwiler family. The father of the family was shot in the neck by a sniper in iraqu while on duty there. He survived the ordeal only to be caught in the tornado that devastated the town of Chapman. Since the family of seven could not afford to rebuild their home, Extreme Home Makeover stepped in. Hundreds of volunteers were on hand to help build them a home. The team also helped out several neighbors, giving one lady a yard full of flowers, another family some furniture for their home and yet another were given help to finish their own rebuilt home complete with furnishings. This is an "extreme" demonstration of people coming together to make a difference to this tight knit community.

The video is not a clip of the Extreme Home Makeover show, but a news piece on the makeover that show's designers, workers and volunteers worked on in Chapman.

"It's not what happens to you...it's what you do about it that makes the difference." ~W. Mitchell~

Blue Ribbon Saves a Young Man from Suicide

2009-02-01T15:57:00.005-07:00

Imagine making not only a difference, but saving a life by your actions. True Story: A teacher in New York decided to honour each of her students by telling each of them how they have made a difference to her and to her class. She gave them blue ribbons and instructed them to go out and tell someone else in the community how they made a difference. This experiment did not only make a difference by brightening the day for so many people, but also saved a young man's life as well. Have a look at the video. It's awe inspiring:

"We must overcome the notion that we must be regular... it robs you of the chance to be extraordinary and leads you to the mediocre." ~Uta Hagen~

Starfish Story - one person CAN make a difference

2009-01-30T00:18:00.010-07:00

I really like the Starfish story. The original story was written about a boy, but you get the idea from the video. Even though you may not be able to make a difference to thousands, you can make a difference to one at a time. We can make a difference, by touching one person. You might make a difference in someone's life without ever knowing it. You may have inspired that student that was going to give up, you may have made that lady's day when you let her go in front of you in the grocery line. You may have given hope to that older woman you chatted with at the bus stop, you may have been a sparkling hope to that depressed man that you smiled at while crossing the street. You can make a difference by your interactions with others each day. The little things make a difference...just like the child who began throwing the starfish back into the ocean.

The Starfish Story
Original Story by: Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…”
I made a difference for that one.”

Group 1 Crew - Love is a beautiful thing

2009-01-29T00:14:00.017-07:00

I enjoy the original sound of Group 1 Crew
. They have an energetic pop-hiphop sound that brings you to your feet. Their songs paint a story for the listener. A personal favorite song is, "Love is a beautiful thing." The song states in the final verse that, ..."all you need is love to bring about change."

The members are: Manwell Reyes, Pablo Villatoro and Blanca Reyes(The two Reyes are not related)

The trio have had a long enduring friendship. Each of the members want to see their music contribute both to mainstream hiphop as well as the Christian music scene. The trio has stated that they want their music to shine the love of Christ to the listener. That mandate is very different from other popular music groups in the same genre.

We can make a difference - Jaci Valasquez

2009-01-28T00:54:00.004-07:00

We Can make a difference by Jaci Valasquez

Do do doot do do do do doot do do do do doot do doot do do.
Do do doot do do do do doot do do do do doot do doot do do.
Come on, now.

We live in a dream if we really think ev'rything's alright, yeah.
This world is in need, crying out to be freed,
We gotta shed some light, oh.
Teach the world to smile and hear angels sing;
Feel the breath of God and the pow'r it brings.
It's time to come together, you and I
And share the love of Jesus Christ.

We can make a diff'rence, we can make a change.
We can make the world a better place.
We can make a diff'rence, we can make a change.
We can make the sun shine through the rain,
Shine on through the rain.

Do do doot do do do do doot do do do do doot do doot do do.

Do you know a man who's needin' a hand?
Don't ya walk on by, oh.
A sister is sad, lost all that she had.
We gotta take the time, oh.
Look around your world, it will testify.
Some have empty hearts, some have hungry eyes.
God can heal the suff'ring through our hands.
Find compassion, take a stand.

We can make a diff'rence, we can make a change.
We can make the world a better place.
We can make a diff'rence, we can make a change.
We can make the sun shine through the rain,
Shine on through the rain.

Do do doot do do do do doot do do do do doot do doot do do.
Do do doot do do do do doot do do do do doot do doot do do.

Teach the world to smile and hear angels sing;
Feel the breath of God and the pow'r it brings,
It's time to come together, you and I
And share the love of Jesus Christ.

We can make a diff'rence, we can make a change.
We can make the world a better place.
We can make a diff'rence, we can make a change.
We can make the sun shine through the rain,
Shine on through the rain.

We can make a diff'rence, (shine on) make a change. (come on now)
ooh ooh oh, shine on through the rain
We can make a diff'rence, (diff'rence, diff'rence)
You can make a diff'rence, you can make a change.

We can make a diff'rence, diff'rence, diff'rence, yeah.

Written by Mark Heimermann, David Mullen

God Rules the Football Field and Google too

2009-01-27T00:35:00.002-07:00

Tim Tebow, quarter back for the Florida gators is a Christian and is not afraid to let the world know about it. In an interview last year, Tebow stated that Football is not even third most important in his life. During a January 9, 2009 game, Tebow wore the bible reference, John 3:16 emblazoned under his eyes. The verse says, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him shall have everlasting life."

Google searches for the phrase, "John 3:16" spiked the morning after Tebow sported the reference on his face. The world was watching...one man is making a difference.

In the video below:
After the Florida Gators championship game in January of 2009, Tim Tebow explains why he wore the verse on his face and proceeds to recite it.

Four Year Old raises $1000

2009-01-26T01:12:00.002-07:00

Have you ever wondered if one person really can make a difference in the world? Four year old Heather Bailey learned about people across the world without clean water. She decided to do something about it and she made a difference!
See the Video:

Quotes from Christian Authors

2009-01-25T01:19:00.001-07:00

Here are a few great quotes from Christian Authors:

"Question for God every morning: What is the main event today? What do you want me to focus on today?" ~John C. Maxwell~

"Unhappiness does not come from the way things are, but from the difference between how things are and how we think they should be" ~Creflo Dollar~

"Our joy does not have to be based on our circumstances." ~Joyce Meyer~

"It’s not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters." ~Rick Warren~