The last three posting titles: Grief, Suffering, Lost. ugh. It's definitely time to turn to a happier subject. Joy. There are so many things that bring me joy. My wonderful husband. My family. Shopping. Wait. What? Come now......who doesn't like to shop? For this:
Don't those look fun? And dangerously high? What about these?
Let's not forget the guys.....
....or the teens:
But if you don't have this:
Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
....none of the rest matters. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21. Find your joy today, This Day, in the loving arms of Jesus. Start today, This Day! by joining Greg and Lynn with your own Thankful Thursday post.
Peace and Joy
Susan
Job 19:25 (NIV) I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
1. Have you ever been so lost that you were really afraid? Nope....but there's still time.
2. Have you ever been to an island? Yes. Some friends and I were boating on the Mississippi River and ventured to an island. We spent quite a bit of time on the beach and painted our bodies with the river mud. Our very own private spa treatment. ahahaha
3. Are you more of a thinker or feeler? Feeler.
4. Do you tend to see issues or situations in life as black and white or shades of gray? Most issues are black and white.
5. If you were stuck on an island, what book would you hope to have with you (Let's pretend the Bible is already there, so you can't say that.) 1001 Ways to Cook Fish and Sea Food.
6. What are you most afraid of? The cancer coming back.
7. Would you rather lose all of your old memories or never be able to make new ones? I want to make new ones and enjoy life now rather than live in the past.
8. Pretend I'm looking at a scrapbook page about you. There are three spaces for you to drop in individual pictures. What are those pictures of, and why did you select them? One of me and on my Harley. Because you're never too old to take risks and do what you enjoy. One with my dad....where we are both bald. As a reminder that family is what's important ... and there are so many things that cancer cannot do or take away. The third one hasn't been taken yet. It will be of me in my cap and gown after graduation. You should always follow your dreams.
9. If you were re-doing your wedding, what would you do differently? (If you're single, tell me one thing you would do if you were planning a wedding OR huge party.) When the hubby and I married, it was beautiful. Small, simple, filled with love. I wouldn't change a thing.
10. Tell me one thing you know/believe about forgiveness. There is no love without forgiveness and there is no forgiveness without love. Bryant McGill
11. You're waiting in a doctor's office. What is your favorite way to pass that time? Am I alone or are there other people waiting too? This definitely makes a difference.
12. If there were a clone of you in a parallel universe what is one way you hope she/he would be the same as you and one way you hope she/he would be better? Either not have cancer at all or find it sooner. I would hope that she is a believer and finds her way to the cross at a much younger age.
Thanks for stopping by and reading my random answers. This is such a fun meme. If you'd like to join in, just hop on over to Lidna's at 2nd Cup of Coffee. She'll explain everything.
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Luke 6:37 (New King James Version)“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
We sometimes discover that a friend had a need that he or she didn't make known; went through a time of trouble without asking for help. And we say, "Why didn't you say something? Why didn't you call me? You know I would have been there." And the answer often is, "I didn't want to bother you. This was my problem and I needed to solve it myself."
Such a scenario is going to play out during the coming Tribulation on earth. There will be multitudes of people who find themselves in a fix: They will have failed to believe on Jesus Christ before the Rapture, and they find themselves enduring the pain of tribulation on earth. But hopefully they will not fail to call out to God for salvation. We know that many will call upon Him, based on the multitudes "of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues" the apostle John saw in heaven--those who had "come out of the great tribulation" (Revelation 7:9, 14). Even if they lose their life via persecution on earth, their eternal life is secure. God always delivers those He saves.
Don't endure alone. Call out to God, or to godly friends, in your hour of need, and experience God's comfort. Calvary is God's great proof that suffering in the will of God always leads to glory.Warren Wiersbe
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Isaiah 55:6 (NKJV)Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
Editor's Note: I haven't been posting or commenting much this week. My final is tomorrow and I've got a huge project to finish by the end of next week. I'll be back on my regular schedule soon. Thanks for stopping by.
Kind of a morbid subject don't you think? Linda at Mocha with Linda has given this prompt because one of our dear blogging friends grieves the loss of a sweet friend. Here is her question of the week:
While I don't want this to be a gloomy or painful Flashback Friday, I thought it would be interesting to reflect on how we experienced grief in our early years.
How old were you (approximately) when you attended your first funeral? Did your parents shield you from death and grief or was it viewed as a natural part of life? Did you experience any significant loss(es) in your growing up years? What were your early impressions of death and dying? And while I do not intend this in any irreverent way, are there any amusing memories associated with a death or funeral? If you have kids, how have you handled this subject with them? Feel free to share as vulnerably or as shallowly as you want!
I'm taking a little different spin. -- Death surrounds us almost daily. We hear about it on the news. It may be a soldier fighting in Afghanistan who is killed in battle. There is an accident on the freeway that has taken the life of a family. It might be the passing of a dear friend. What ever the situation, it is never easy to lose someone to death.
Yet, for those who have accepted Christ, death is just the beginning of an eternal life with Him. He conquered death for us. I think Rick said it better than I can:
May the passing of your dear one be lessened by knowing that you will see them again in heaven when you rejoice and praise Jesus together. If you're not sure about your eternal destiny, accept Jesus today, This Day!
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Romans 10:9 (NIV)That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
1. Ever had any run-ins with the "library police?" Nope....but there's still time.
2. Do you have a special organizational plan and place for wrapping paper, gift bags, etc., or do you just purchase whatever you need as you give gifts? I have wrapping paper on hand but find it more convenient to buy something that fits the gift and occasion at the time of purchase.
3. Have you ever been in (first-hand witness) a natural disaster? Yes. Last May when our region experienced a derecho. Click HERE to read about the storm of the century. My hubby and I were out in it. Scary. Very very scary.
4. What's your favorite Barry Manilow song? I can't think of a single one.
5. What's the best costume you've ever worn? A friend and I went as Mickey and Minnie. I was Minnie. Sorry. Don't have an electronic picture.
6. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus? Thesaurus. I hate using the same words over and over.....ummm repeatedly. lol
7. What's your favorite breakfast food? Egg burritos. My hubby makes the best ones ever.
8. Have you ever purchased anything from an infomercial? Yep. A food saver. I love it. Now they are readily available at most stores.
9. Have you ever crawled through a window? Nope.....but there's still time. lol
10. Do you believe in love at first sight? Not sure. After giving this some more thought I'd have to say no. I think people can be immediately attracted to each other. But love.....love takes time. It's like a seed. It takes nurturing, oversight, diligence, and perseverance to grow and blossom.
11. How man pairs of jeans do you own? Let's just say I could wear a pair of jeans every day for at least two weeks and not wear the same pair twice. Excessive, I know.
12. If someone were going to bake a cake to honor/represent you, what would it be? (Think creatively, like Duff and Crew on "Ace of Cakes.") Today? It could either be a graduation cake or a motorcycle cake.
If you'd like to play along, hop on over to Lid's at 2nd Cup of Coffee. Thanks for stopping by and please, come join us.
Peace and Joy,
Susan
John 6:29 (NIV) Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
My sweet hubby and I have been married for seven years today. I love him for a million reasons. I love the softness in his eyes when he looks at me. I love the way he listens. I love how he sees the good in everyone. I love his problem solving skills and how he helps me to solve problems. I love his presence in the house. I love reaching for his hand to find that he's already reaching for mine. I love that he is steadfast, strong, and honorable. I love how strong he is in his faith. I love the way he loves our children and the grand-boy. I love that after seven years, if I got a chance for a do-over, I'd do it all again....with him. I love him. I love us. Happy Anniversary my Love.
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Proverbs 31:23 (NIV)Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
Do you have "writer's block"? Not sure where to begin? Can't figure out what to be grateful for when your life seems to be going downhill faster than a falling rock?
What usually stops us from doing these types of exercises is often caused by the fact that we just can't see how this will help us in any way. You need to pay your electric bill or they'll be shutting the power off... how does writing in a journal help in any way?
Well, to tell the truth - writing out a gratitude list won't help pay that power bill.
What it WILL do is help you to shift your focus away from scarcity and worry, and instead help to create a focus on gratefulness - and hopefully you will begin to see the large amount of abundance and prosperity that you already have in your life. This whole exercise, in turn, will begin to spark new ideas on how you can pay that bill!
Sound complicated? Truly, it's not.
Hard to believe that doing a gratitude list each day can accomplish this? I can see your point, but if you haven't tried it (and I mean did it consistently over several weeks), then how do you know it doesn't work? Where's your proof?
You see, when you're so focused on the lack of money or the lack of anything for that matter, that is ALL that you can think about. You fall into an anxiety-producing depression with a "why bother?" mindset, and so any idea that may be presented to you will be dismissed as "too hard," "not doable," "impossible to accomplish."
Think about that for a moment. Isn't the above statement true? How often have you been given advice on how to do something about your situation and you just couldn't get your mind to consider it seriously? By creating a gratitude list each and every day, you shift your perspective. New possibilities begin to open up. Ideas start to form... and from there you can take action. And that inspired action is what leads to amazing results.
In any case, just give it a try for one month. Just for 30 days. See for yourself how powerful a gratitude list can be when you commit to writing one at the end of each day consistently. Start today, This Day! by joining Greg and Lynn with your own Thankful Thursday post.
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Romans 13:6-7 (NIV) 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
1. How do you feel about "Gladiator" sandals, also called "Roman" or "Jesus" sandals? A fashion yea or nay? I can honestly say that I purchased a pair last year and wear them occasionally. They're really comfy but to me they have to be worn with just-the-right outfit.
2. What is your favorite pizza? It's a toss up (you know I can't choose just one, right?) between BBQ Chicken with Spinach and Garlic or Buffalo Chicken with green peppers.
3. There are plans in the works to sell roughly 1,000 items from Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas. This means you could buy Picard's chair for your family room. If not a Star Trek item, what prop, background, set, etc. from what TV or movie would you buy if you could?
[Ex: Hurley's "I Love my Shih tzu" shirt from LOST, the plantation home "Tara" from Gone With the Wind, or Tracy's tambourine from the Partridge Family.]Honestly, Lid. I think you just try to get people to short circuit. Or, maybe it's just me whose little brain takes off in a bazillion different directions at the same time when you ask something like this. Anywhoo, the first thing that came to mind is a pair of ruby slippers cause no matter where I am....there's no place like home.
4. Name a local food or restaurant that your area is famous for. "World Famous" 17th Street BBQ...really, Google it. Picked "Best Ribs in the US" by bon appetite.
5. What is your current favorite snack? It's my ALWAYS favorite snack. Chocolate! lol.
6. Hypothetical: You are required to be a reality show contestant. Which show would you choose based on your probability of success? (You cannot choose "none.") A...DWTS only by the process of elimination. I don't have more than about 10 pounds to lose so there no chance of winning BL. I would probably be kicked off Survivor for hurting someone. Why? I'm so glad you asked. You see, I don't tolerate conniving, backstabbing, lying, manipulating people very well. Yep, I'd def end up hurting someone and getting kicked off the show. ahahaha So that leaves DWTS. At least I can dance somewhat and would have a chance.
7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being uninhabitable and 10 being cleanliness that meets the standards of OCD, how clean is your vehicle's interior? Sadly, it's about a 5...maybe as low as a 4. It is sorely neglected.
8. It doesn't feel like Spring until _________. I can ride my motorcycle without having to wear extra layers of clothing to stay warm.
9. Something that made you laugh really hard recently is ____. My hubby. He's always good for a belly laugh. And no....I won't tell you what he said.
10. Tell me about a goal you're working toward. Finishing my degree. I'm due to graduate next month. Y-A-Y!
11. Share a thought-provoking or inspiring quote this week. "So much of what is best in us is bound up in our love of family, that it remains the measure of our stability because it measures our sense of loyalty." Haniel Long.
12. Name one thing that you do as a parent that you absolutely know will make your kids happy. If you're not a parent, feel free to substitute "friend" or nomenclature that works for you.Can't say about my daughter or step-children.....but with the grand-boy....it's teaching him how to cook and bake.
Want to join in and post your own answers to these random questions? Then hop on over to Lid's at 2nd Cup of Coffee. She has everything you need to get started. Thanks so much for stopping by today and commenting.
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Mark 5:19 (NIV)Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."
It is hard at times to eat the right foods for our bodies when the wrong foods can taste so delicious. I am just glad then that when it comes to food for the soul the choices are a little easier to make. Imagine, for instance, that you had two types of food before you. The first one is great for you. It makes your heart healthier, your mind clearer, and your body more energetic. It makes you feel fantastic both inside and out. It also tastes delicious. You could eat it for a million years and never get tired of it. It just takes a bit of effort and a few minutes to cook each day. The second food is terrible for you. It is hard on your heart and destroys your health. It depresses your mind and steals your body’s vitality. It makes you feel miserable both inside and out. It also tastes terrible. You can eat it right away, though. It is instant and takes no effort to make. Which one would you choose?
Sadly, more people than you would think make the second choice. The second choice is acting from fear. It is choosing to feed the soul hatred, violence, negativeness, misery, pain, meanness, and loneliness. It is easy to do even though it hurts you every time you do it. It slowly poisons your life and the lives of those around you if they let it. The first choice, however, is choosing love. It is feeding the soul joy, peace, positiveness, happiness, delight, goodness, and oneness with God. It takes a bit of effort, but it brings a lot of Heaven to Earth. It enriches your life and the lives of everyone you share it with.
What you eat is up to you. Choose your foods wisely then. God wants you to eat well not just with your stomach but also with your heart, soul, mind, and life. Lay out a table full of all the love, joy, light, goodness, and oneness with God that you possibly can. Then pull up a chair and invite everyone to the feast. Joseph J. Mazzella
Eating healthier and being more active is very important to me, as it is to most people. But just as this story indicates, I sometimes make poor choices. God wants me to be nourished by His word. When I seek Him first, I am more likely to make choices that strengthen me and bring glory and honor to Him. I am also better equipped to help others. Today, This Day, I am seeking Him first. Won't you join me?
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
1.Is it good if a vacuum really sucks? 2.Why is the third hand on the watch called the second hand?
3.If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how would we ever know?
4.If Webster wrote the first dictionary, where did he find the words?
5.Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack? 6.Why does "slow down" and "slow up" mean the same thing? 7. Why does "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing? 8. Why do "tug" boats push their barges? 9. Why do we sing "Take me out to the ball game" when we are already there? 10.Why are they called " stands" when they are made for sitting?
11.Why is it called "after dark" when it really is "after light"? 12.Doesn't "expecting the unexpected" make the unexpected expected? 13.Why are a "wise man" and a "wise guy" opposites?
14. Why do "overlook" and "oversee" mean opposite things? 15.Why is "phonics" not spelled the way it sounds? 16.If work is so terrific, why do they have to pay you to do it?
17.If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?
18.Iflove is blind, why is lingerie so popular? 19.If you are cross-eyed and have dyslexia, can you read all right? 20.Why is bra singular and panties plural? 21.Why do you press harder onthe buttons of a remote controlwhen you know thebatteries are dead? 22.Why do we put suits in garment bags and garments in a suitcase? 23.How come abbreviated is such a long word?
24. Why do we wash bath towels? Aren't we clean when we use them? 25.Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
26.Why do they call it a TV set when you only have one? 27.Christmas - What other time of the year do you sit in front of a dead tree and eat candy out of your socks?
28. Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway ?
I dunno, whydo we?
Peace and Joy, Susan
1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV)who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
Welcome! Welcome! I'm so glad you stopped by today. Come right on in and make yourself at home. It's time for the annual Ultimate Blog Party hosted by 5 Minute for Moms! What? You don't know about this awesome blog party? Then let me make this quick so you can go here to find out all about it and join in on the fun.
First, let me introduce myself. Hi, I'm Susan. I'm a wife, mother, and a grandmother. The grand-boy and I spend tons of time together. He's such a joy and blessing. There are many hobbies I enjoy but mostly I like splittin the wind on my motorcycle.
I joined this party last year and met some wonderful women who are now friends. That's one of the main events of this party. Meeting other bloggers. Making new friends. The chance to win prizes. That's right, lots and lots of prizes.
There are so many prizes in fact that it's difficult to choose what to sign up to win. What are the prizes? Well, I'm glad you asked. there is beautiful, hand-stamped jewelry items and lots and lots of gift cards and cash. That's right.....cash, moola, green backs, well.....you get the idea. There is also the opportunity to win a blog make over. That one sounds good to me too.
So....let's get on with the party. Thanks so much for stopping by and my hope is that today, This Day, you see the blessings in the ordinary. Now, please excuse me while I go try to win some fabulous prizes. I'm crossing my fingers that I just might be the winner of the **GRAND PRIZE at the Ultimate Blog Party 2010 which is a Toshiba Satellite L505D-ES5025** that 5minutesformom.com is giving away. If I don't win the grand prize, these are my top three:
But, I would also be quite happy if I won any of these: 6, 49, 55, 70, 75, 3, 15, 25, 31, 32, 33, 37, 36, 39, 42, 52, 73, 74, 87, 88, 2, 3, 8, 10
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Let me do my work each day;
And if the darkened hours of despair overcome me,
May I not forget the strength that comforted me
In the desolation of other times.
May I still remember the bright hours that found me
Walking over the silent hills of my childhood,
Or dreaming on the margin of the quiet river,
When a light glowed within me,
And I promised my early God to have courage
Amid the tempests of the changing years.
Spare me from bitterness
And from the sharp passions of unguarded moments.
May I not forget that poverty and riches are of the spirit.
Though the world may know me not,
May my thoughts and actions be such
As shall keep me friendly with myself.
Lift my eyes from the earth,
And let me not forget the uses of the stars.
Forbid that I should judge others,
Lest I condemn myself.
Let me not follow the clamor of the world,
But walk calmly in my path.
Give me a few good friends who will love me for what I am;
And keep ever burning before my vagrant steps
The kindly light of hope.
And though age and infirmity overtake me,
And I come not within sight of the castle of my dreams,
Teach me still to be thankful for life,
And for times olden memories that are good and sweet;
And may the evening's twilight find me gentle still.
GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your life and situation no matter the circumstance. I'm joining Greg and Lynn this week. Please stop by and see them.
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Romans 5:10 (NKJV)For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
1. Define a great relationship. One where you can laugh together and cry together. You share values, hopes, dreams, and goals. Even when they are not the same, you're there to be their cheerleader. Really it just boils down to meeting each others needs.
2. Why is it called a "drive-through" if you have to stop? (Real question: What was the last food/drink you purchased at a drive-through?) A medium cone from the DQ.
3. As I type this, the Butler Bulldogs are getting ready to play in the NCAA championship game. Every Hoosier is hysterical about this except me. So in honor of the Bulldogs ... what is your favorite breed of dog? (I tried.) Labs.
4. If you had to move to a state besides the one you currently live in, where would you move? AZ. Warmer, dryer, fewer bugs, and my family is there.
5. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be? That my dad would have seen value in attending church for us, rather than seeing no value in it for him.
6. Who's the funniest person you know? Besides you? My hubby. He's always good for a laugh.
7. Did you get enough sleep last night? No....and I rarely do these days.
8. What's the first thing you thought about this morning? It's time to get up already? Fine. Here we go God.
9. Grilled or Fried? --HONESTLY Grilled. Really.
10. Are you afraid of the dark? Not usually. I'm heavily armed. ahahaha
11.When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? A teacher in the Peace Corps.
12. If you had one word to describe yourself , what would you choose? Crazy.
If you'd like to join in, hop on over to Lid's spot @ 2nd Cup of Coffee. Thanks for stopping by today.
Peace and Joy, Susan
1 John 3:16 (New King James Version)By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
God believes in growth! In the Garden of Eden, "the Lord God made every tree grow..." (Genesis 2:9). He designed grass to grow for cattle, and crops to grow for us (Psalm 104:14; Leviticus 25:5). He wanted the children of Israel to grow into a great nation (Genesis 48:16). We're to consider the lilies, how they grow (Luke 12:27). Even the Lord Jesus grew and became strong in spirit (Luke 2:40).
The Lord expects His saints to grow, too, like palm trees and cedars of Lebanon (Psalm 92:12). We're to grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ (Ephesians 4:15). Our faith is to grow more solid every day, and our love deeper (2 Thessalonians 1:3). Peter told us to desire the sincere milk of the Word, that we may grow thereby, and to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:2; 3:18).
The mind grows by taking in, but the heart grows by giving out; and it is important to maintain a balanced life. Warren Wiersbe
Are there areas in our lives--whatever our ages--in which we need fresh growth? Focus on that area, memorize Scripture on that topic, pray for maturity, and ask God for a "growth spurt" in your life.
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Colossians 1:10 (NIV)And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
I was in the express lane at the store quietly fuming. Completely ignoring the sign, the woman ahead of me had slipped into the check-out line pushing a cart piled high with groceries. Imagine my delight when the cashier beckoned the woman to come forward looked into the cart and asked sweetly, 'So which six items would you like to buy?'
Wouldn't it be great if that happened more often?
--------------------------------------------- Because they had no reservations at a busy restaurant, my elderly neighbor and his wife were told there would be a 45-minute wait for a table. 'Young man, we're both 90 years old, we may not have 45 minutes." They were seated immediately.
The reason congressmen try so hard to get re-elected is that they would hate to have to make a living under the laws they've passed.
----------------------------------- All eyes were on the radiant bride as her father escorted her down the aisle. They reached the altar and the waiting groom; the bride kissed her father and placed something in his hand. The guests in the front pews responded with ripples of laughter. Even the priest smiled broadly. As her father gave her away in marriage, the bride gave him back his credit card. ----------------------------------- Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. ------------------------------------ Three friends from the local congregation were asked, 'When you're in your casket, and friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?' Artie said: "I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader, and a great family man." Eugene commented: 'I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and servant of God who made a huge difference in people's lives.'
Carl said: 'I'd like them to say, 'Look, he's moving!' ------------------------------------
Smith climbs to the top of Mt. Sinai to get close enough to talk to God. Looking up, he asks the Lord... 'God, what does a million years mean to you?' The Lord replies, 'A minute.'
Smith asks, 'And what does a million dollars mean to you?' The Lord replies, 'A penny.' 'Smith asks, 'Can I have a penny?'
'The Lord replies, 'In a minute.'
--------------------------------------
John was on his deathbed and gasped pitifully. 'Give me one last request, dear,' he said.
'Of course, John,' his wife said softly..
'Six months after I die,' he said, 'I want you to marry Bob.'
'But I thought you hated Bob,' she said.
With his last breath John said, 'I do!' -------------------------------- A man goes to see the Rabbi. 'Rabbi, something terrible is happening and I have to talk to you about it.' The Rabbi asked, 'What's wrong?'
The man replied, 'My wife is poisoning me.'
The Rabbi, very surprised by this, asks, 'How can that be?'
The man then pleads, 'I'm telling you, I'm certain she's poisoning me, what should I do?'
The Rabbi then offers, 'Tell you what. Let me talk to her, I'll see what I can find out and I'll let you know.'
A week later the Rabbi calls the man and says, 'Well, I spoke to your wife. I spoke to her on the phone for three hours. You want my advice?'
The man said, 'Yes.' The Rabbi replied, 'Take the poison'.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Job 8:21 (NKJV) He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, And your lips with rejoicing.
The Purpose of the Passion can be summed up as--a second chance! The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provides a second chance for mankind to walk in relationship with the God who created them. The Scriptures make clear that through Adam sin entered the world, but through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ there is justification for every man, woman, boy and girl--if they only place their trust in Him. The passion of Christ provides a second chance for each of us to be right with God by being forgiven of everything and anything we have ever done. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ gives you and me the ability to live life to its fullest because we can be free of guilt and be guided by a purpose that eclipses all that the world has to offer.
Mel Gibson, in his movie The Passion, captures both the need and the power of the second chance available to us through Christ. Jesus is praying in Gethsemane when the guards of the high priest arrive to arrest Him. The guards approach and ask for Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus identifies Himself and Judas comes up to Him and kisses Him, saying "Hail, Rabbi." Jesus asks Judas why he is betraying "the Son of Man with a kiss?" Judas is stunned and steps back.
The guards move in to arrest Jesus. Suddenly, Peter explodes into action, attacking the guards. Ultimately, Peter pulls out a sword and cuts off the ear of one of the guards. Peter is eventually subdued, and Jesus tells him to drop his sword, saying, "Those who live by the sword die by the sword." Then Jesus reaches down, picks up the guard's severed ear, and looking into the guard's eyes, heals him.
Jesus stands up, and the remaining guards move in and arrest Him--striking Him and handling Him roughly. They shove Him along the road and begin to leave. The healed guard is still on his knees, unmoving. His fellow guards tell him to get up and come along, but he cannot. The guard can no longer participate in anything that brings harm to the Christ.
He was left in the garden of Gethsemane to marvel at what the Savior had done for him. In the film, Peter, left behind, then comes face to face with the guard after Jesus healed his ear and touched his life. This is especially poignant, as within hours Peter would need that same forgiving touch of Jesus and a second chance.
This is the same Peter who had walked with Jesus (Matt 4:18-20). This is the same Peter who boldly declared that Jesus was the Son of God (Matt 16:13-17). This was the same Peter who committed to follow Jesus to the death (Matt 26:35). Despite all of this, Peter denied even knowing Jesus, not once, but three times (Matt 26:75). Was this the end for Peter? Was Peter beyond the forgiveness of Jesus Christ? Not at all! Following the resurrection, Jesus gave Peter a second chance (John 21:15-17).
The Purpose of the Passion is to give each of us a second chance. Whether you're like the guard who came face to face with Jesus for the first time or whether you're like Peter who had walked with Jesus in the past, declared who He is to others and even committed his life to Him, if something is separating you from the abundant life Jesus has obtained for you--a second chance awaits you. That's the Purpose of the Passion.
Take this opportunity for your second chance today, This Day.
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Matthew 20:17-19 (NIV) 17Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, 18"We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!"
I will be in the city today with my DH as he has his second corporal tunnel surgery. Please pray for us today. I covet your prayers.
When we think gratitude thoughts, we often look at all the good things we can be thankful for. But what about the difficulties we must overcome? The limitations we have? The challenges we face? Believe it or not, we should also be grateful for experiencing these things as well, for they help us grow spiritually and mentally; teach us by providing new experiences; and allow us to appreciate what we already have all the more.
This poem filled with gratitude thoughts shows us that by finding a way to be thankful for our troubles, we can turn the negatives into positive blessings.
Be Thankful For...
by Author Unknown
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary
Because it means you've made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings. I'm joining Greg and Lynn this week. Please stop by and see them.
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Isaiah 53:5-6 (NKJV) 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
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