Cowboy in Church

COWBOY IN CHURCH One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally worn out Bible. The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories. As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it. As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor. 'Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship.' The old cowboy assured the preacher he would. The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored. The preacher approached the man and said, 'I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church.' 'I did,' replied the old cowboy. 'If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for worshiping in here?' asked the preacher. 'Well, sir, God told me that He didn't have a clue what I should wear. He said He'd never been in this church before.'

The Power of Words

Always think of the power words have. (There's life and death in the power of the tongue - Proverbs 18:21.)

Enjoy this story of the tiny frogs:

http://home.att.net/~hideaway_today/t130/frog.htm

Always be positive and above all:
Be DEAF when people tell YOU
that you cannot fulfill yourdreams!
Always think: God and I can do this!

Hugs
Linda B:)

God's Love Covers You

After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park , forest rangers
began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage.

One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched
statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat
sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick.
When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under
their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of
impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the
tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing
that the toxic smoke would rise.

She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her
babies. Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her
small body, the mother had remained steadfast ...because she had
been willing to die, so those under the cover of her wings would live.

'He will cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you will find refuge.'
(Psalm 91:4)

Being loved this much should make a difference in your life.
Remember the One who loves you, and then be different because of it.

Hugs,
Linda B:)

A Brother Like That

A friend of mine named Paul received an automobile from his brother as a Christmas present. On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office, a street urchin was walking around the shiny new car, admiring it. "Is this your car, Mister?" he asked. Paul nodded. "My brother gave it to me for Christmas." The boy was astounded. "You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't cost you nothing? Boy, I wish..." He hesitated. Of course Paul knew what he was going to wish for. He was going to wish he had a brother like that. But what the lad said jarred Paul all the way down to his heels. "I wish," the boy went on, "that I could be a brother like that." Paul looked at the boy in astonishment, then impulsively he added, "Would you like to take a ride in my automobile?" "Oh yes, I'd love that." After a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes aglow, said, "Mister, would you mind driving in front of my house?" Paul smiled a little. He thought he knew what the lad wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big automobile. But Paul was wrong again. "Will you stop where those two steps are?" the boy asked. He ran up the steps. Then in a little while Paul heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled brother. He sat him down on the bottom step, then sort of squeezed up against him and pointed to the car. "There she is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn't cost him a cent. And some day I'm gonna give you one just like it...then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Christmas windows that I've been trying to tell you about." Paul got out and lifted the lad to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable holiday ride. That Christmas Eve, Paul learned what Jesus meant when he had said: "It is more blessed to give..."

Today I Purpose to Live

Today I purpose to live

My life will shine
As the morning sings
I walk in liberty
Bound in true dreams
Manifested promises
Chase my forward motion
A covered path before me
The fruits of my hoping
The fruits of my living

Today I purpose to love

My love will speak
With the sound of grace
Merciful within mercy
The works of my faith
Smiles of overflowing
Inspire my giving
Abundance of joy as rain
The fruits of my living

~-~

michael john faciane

A Beautiful Use of the Alphabet

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL USE OF THE ALPHABET Although things are not perfect; Because of trials or pain; Continue in thanksgiving; DO not begin to blame; Even when the times are hard; Fierce winds are bound to blow; G od is forever able; Hold on to what you know; Imagine life without His love; Joy would cease to be; Keep thanking Him for all the things; Love imparts to thee; Move out of "Camp Complaining"; NO weapon that is known; On earth can yield the power; Praise can do alone; Quit looking at the future; Redeem the time at hand; Start every day with worship; TO "thank" is a command; Until we see Him coming; Victorious in the sky; We'll run the race with gratitude; Xalting God most high; Yes, there'll be good times & yes som e will be bad, but... Zion waits In glory...where no one is ever sad! "I AM Too blessed to be stressed!" The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and t he floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. God's Love and peace be with you forever, PS: GOD LOVES YOU...and I do too. You never know who's heart you will touch, when you share a piece of your own. God bless you

The Story of the Magnolias - Kleenex Alert

I spent the week before my daughter's June wedding running last-minute trips to the caterer, florist, tuxedo shop, and the church about forty miles away. As happy as I was that Patsy was marrying a good Christian young man, I felt laden with responsibilities as I watched my budget dwindle .. . . so many details, so many bills, and so little time. My son Jack was away at college, but he said he would be there to walk his younger sister down the aisle, taking the place of his dad who had died a few years before. He teased Patsy, saying he'd wanted to give her away since she was about three years old! To save money, I gathered blossoms from several friends who had large magnolia trees. Their luscious, creamy-white blooms and slick green leaves would make beautiful arrangements against the rich dark wood inside the church. After the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, we banked the podium area and choir loft with magnolias. As we left just before midnight, I felt tired but satisfied this would be the best wedding any bride had ever had! The music, the ceremony, the reception - and especially the flowers - would be remembered for years. The big day arrived - the busiest day of my life - and while her bridesmaids helped Patsy to dress, her fiancee Tim, walked with me to the sanctuary to do a final check. When we opened the door and felt a rush of hot air, I almost fainted; and then I saw them - all the beautiful white flowers were black. Funeral black. An electrical storm during the night had knocked out the air conditioning system, and on that hot summer day, the flowers had wilted and died. I panicked, knowing I didn't have time to drive back to our hometown, gather more flowers, and return in time for the wedding. Tim turned to me. "Edna, can you get more flowers? I'll throw away these dead ones and put fresh flowers in these arrangements." I mumbled, "Sure," as he be-bopped down the hall to put on his cuff links. Alone in the large sanctuary, I looked up at the dark wooden beams in the arched ceiling. "Lord," I prayed, "please help me. I don't know anyone in this town. Help me find someone willing to give me flowers in a hurry!" I scurried out praying for four things: the blessing of white magnolias, courage to find them in an unfamiliar yard, safety from any dog that may bite my leg, and a nice person who would not get out a shotgun when I asked to cut his tree to shreds. As I left the church, I saw magnolia trees in the distance. I approached a house . . . no dog in sight. I knocked on the door and an older man answered. So far so good . . . no shotgun. When I stated my plea the man beamed, "I'd be happy to!" He climbed a stepladder and cut large boughs and handed them down tome. Minutes later, as I lifted the last armload into my car trunk, I said, "Sir, you've made the mother of a bride happy today." "No, Ma'am," he said. "You don't understand what's happening here." "What?" I asked. "You see, my wife of sixty-seven years died on Monday. On Tuesday I received friends at the funeral home, and on Wednesday . . He paused. I saw tears welling up in his eyes. "On Wednesday I buried her." He looked away. "On Thursday most of my out-of-town relatives went back home, and on Friday - yesterday - my children left. I nodded. "This morning," he continued, "I was sitting in my den crying out loud. I miss her so much. For the last sixteen years, as her health got worse, she needed me. But now nobody needs me. This morning I cried, 'Who needs an eighty-six-year-old wore-out man? Nobody!' I began to cry louder. 'Nobody needs me!' About that time, you knocked, and said, "Sir, I need you." I stood with my mouth open. He asked, "Are you an angel? The way the light shone around your head into my dark living room . ." I assured him I was no angel. He smiled. "Do you know what I was thinking when I handed you those magnolias?" "No." "I decided I'm needed. My flowers are needed. Why, I might have a flower ministry! I could give them to everyone! Some caskets at the funeral home have no flowers. People need flowers at times like that and I have lots of them. They're all over the backyard! I can give them to hospitals, churches - all sorts of places. You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to serve the Lord until the day He calls me home!" I drove back to the church, filled with wonder. On Patsy's wedding day, if anyone had asked me to encourage someone who was hurting, would have said, "Forget it! It's my only daughter's wedding, for goodness' sake! There is no way I can minister to anyone today." But God found a way. . . . through dead flowers. "Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference."

Two Horses

There is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell.Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two horses, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.

Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way....

Good friends are like that... you may not always see them, but you know they are always there.

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.

And remember...
be kinder than necessary- everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly....
Leave the rest to God!

God Bless America, Again

GOD BLESS AMERICA, AGAIN

GOD, I SURE DO WISH YOU'D BLESS AMERICA AGAIN
YOU KNOW, LIKE YOU DID WAY BACK WHEN IT ALL BEGAN
YOU BLESSED HER THEN BUT WE JUST SORTA KINDA TOOK IT FOR GRANTED
AND NEVER DID ASK AGAIN
SO, GOD, JUST HOLD HER HAND THAT'S ALL AND IF SHE SHOULD
STUMBLE, PLEASE, DON'T LET HER FALL


GOD BLESS AMERICA AGAIN
YOU SEE ALL THE TROUBLE THAT SHE'S IN
WASH HER PRETTY FACE, DRY HER EYES AND THEN
GOD BLESS AMERICA, AGAIN


YOU KNOW, I DON'T UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING I READ ABOUT
WHAT'S WRONG WITH AMERICA
BUT LET ME SAY THIS GOD, SHE'S BEEN LIKE A MOTHER TO ME
ALL THAT I AM OR ALL I EVER HOPE TO BE
I OWE IT ALL TO YOU AND HER


GOD BLESS AMERICA, AGAIN
YOU SEE ALL THE TROUBLE THAT SHE'S IN
WASH HER PRETTY FACE, DRY HER EYES AND THEN
GOD BLESS AMERICA, AGAIN

Author Unknown

HINT & ANSWERS for Bible Book Quiz

First I am giving you a clue with the names of the 30 books found in the paragraph. Below the kitty graphic is the paragraph with the answers:

Acts, Amos, Chronicle, Daniel, Esther, Exodus, Genesis, Hebrews, Hosea, James, Joel, Job,
John, Judges, Kings, Lamentations, Luke, Malachi, Mark, Matthew, Nahum, Numbers, Peter,
Philemon, Revelation, Romans, Ruth, Samuel, Timothy, Titus

Does that help? Uh, need more? It's a hard puzzle isn't it? Feel a little battered and bruised? OK, scroll down and get the full paragraph.

Bible Puzzle - books in RED


This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john boat. Another friend studied it while playing the banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving the puzzle so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That's a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent fundraising event which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record. The local paper, the Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons, who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Hummana humbly puts it, "The books are all right there in plain view, hidden from sight." Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also keep in mind that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know all the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus, there really are 30 books of the bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph, waiting to be found.

Bible Books Quiz

There are 30 books of the bible in the following paragraph. Can you find them?

This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john boat. Another friend studied it while playing the banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving the puzzle so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That's a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph During a recent fundraising event which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record. The local paper, the Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons, who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Hummana humbly puts it, "The books are all right there in plain view, hidden from sight." Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also keep in mind that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know all the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus, there really are 30 books of the bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph, waiting to be found.


I got 21 on the first reading but the rest were hard. I copied and pasted it into WordPad and changed the names to red when I found them.

Have fun. I will post the answers in COMMENTS tomorrow evening.

Want a Legacy?

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 Contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners 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.

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.

You Arx A Kxy Pxrson

One manager let employees know how valuable they are with the following memo:

"You Arx A Kxy Pxrson"

Xvxn though my typxwritxr is an old modxl, it works vxry wxll -- xxcxpt for onx kxy. You would think that with all thx othxer kxys functioning propxrly, onx kxy not working would hardly bx noticxd; but just onx kxy out of whack sxxms to ruin thx wholx xffort.

You may say to yoursxlf -- Wxll, I'm only onx pxrson. No onx will noticx if I don't do my bxst. But it doxs makx a diffxrxncx, bxcausx an xffxctivx organization nxxds activx participation by xvxry onx to thx bxst of his or hxr ability.

So, thx nxxt timx you think you arx not important, rxmxmbxr my old typxwritxr. You arx a kxy pxrson.

Xvxry Pxrson Is Important

Interview with God - absolutely beautiful

Interview with God - absolutely beautiful

Only 45 seconds it takes to watch but gorgeous pics and wonderful words:

Click on: <http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/popup-frame.html> The interview

For the Dog Lover - Major Kleenex alert......

A Dog's Purpose (From a 6-year-old)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

Recipe for Miracles

Ingredients:
1 part of knowing who you are
1 part of knowing who you aren't
1 part of knowing what you want
1 part of knowing who you wish to be
1 part of knowing what you already have
1 part of choosing wisely from what you have
1 part of loving and thanking for ALL you have

Instructions: Combine ingredients together gently and carefully, using faith and vision. Mix together with strong belief of the outcome until finely blended.

Use thoughts, words and actions for best results.

Bake until Blessed.

Give thanks again

Yield: Unlimited servings

Christian Drama - Total Eclipse

My very dear friends Leslie and Matt have lost their adopted daughter to suicide. She was Matt's niece and they took her in and raised her. The bad life from the original home haunted her and she had fought depression for a long time.

My heart is breaking for them right now and she leaves behind a baby girl. I know the only thing they can do right now is grieve and hold on to God while their friends lift them up continuously in prayer. Matt found this video by students on YouTube. You don't need the sound to understand the meaning. Warning - I cry through it every time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o35Az7XKpI

Another friend wrote on Matt's Gather blog "It is unchangeable, and unchallengeable. No answer is to come from the departed, and speculation is only a path to further pain. Bring old memories of better times to mind, and use the energy of your anger to move forward." Right now the only thing they feel is alternating between pain and numbness and I will keep them in my prayers over and over each day.

Blessings and Love to All,

Keep On Praying

Have you seen the movie Finding Nemo? It is an adorable Pixar cartoon movie about a father fish trying desperately to find his son. Through all his problems he is being assisted by Dory, an adorable fish with memory problems.

When Dory is afraid she sings softly to herself "keep on swimming, just keep on swimming" over and over. The last 4 or 5 months have really been rough around here but each time I reach the end of my rope I think of Dory and start singing "keep on praying, just keep on praying" over and over as I try to regain my balance from the latest slam. Somehow it is soothing and calming to my soul to know that if I just keep on praying everything will be fine.

19 Simple Words

God, our Father,
Walk through our house and take away all our worries and illnesses;
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

The Living Bible

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.

The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.

About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.Everyone chokes up with emotion.

When the minister gains control, he says, 'What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.''

Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!'

I asked the Lord to bless you
As I prayed for you today.
To guide you and protect you
As you go along your way....
His love is always with you,
His promises are true,
And when we give Him all our cares,
You know He will see us through.

My Favorite Pastors

I was never one for watching most televangelists. Some have done more to allienate and turn people away from the church than they have done good, in my opinion. However over the past 10 years I have found a few that I enjoy. I pulled away from the church for about 10 years because of the hounding. Bad things were happening to me and I was told it was because I slipped and said a bad word the week before when I hit my finger with a hammer. Or because I was a bad mother for missing a PTA meeting when I had to work overtime. On and on, it was all about God constantly punishing me for the least little slip. I had friends who were total heathens and living the good life and it made me wonder.

It was many years later when I met my friend Frances and she explained these people were wrong. It wasn't God heaping retribution on me, it was the Devil testing me. She pointed out that heathens don't need to be tested because they are in the Devil's pocket, their retribution will come in the end. Christians are tested daily by the Devil as he tries everything to pull us away from God. Once I understood this, I knew that God was stronger than the Devil and would help me overcome anything thrown at me.

If I am up in time, I listen to Joyce Meyers on weekday mornings. Her humor brightens my mornings and helps me to look at myself and my shortcomings more deeply.

On Sunday mornings, I am up early, fix a little cocoa and scrambled eggs and sit down to enjoy Charles Stanley, The Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah, Joel Osteen and Ed Young. I have been reading Stanley's books for about 15 years and taken a number of the study courses offered through them. Dr. Jeremiah also offers a lot theological insight in his sermons that help me to understand the Bible more deeply. I enjoy Joel Osteen and Ed Young because of their positive messages. Some people argue they are less theological or "Christian Lite" but I think they help me see the Bible in ways that are relevant to everyday life and offer ways to apply it to that everyday life. I enjoy their positive messages and also receive their daily devotions.

Two others that I truely admire but can't seem to get the timing right to catch them on TV are T. D. Jakes and Max Lucado. I have been reading their books for years. Jakes is broadcast on Sunday mornings while I am at church and at the same time our head church out of Knoxville broadcasts so I am already taping them. (I tape our main church and CBS Sunday Morning every Sunday and watch them Sunday afternoon unless I am glued to golf. Then I watch them on Monday:) I discovered Lucado's services on cable about the time I moved and lost my cable. I thought it amusing that I had been reading Stanley and Lucado for almost 12 years and had never seen either until this past year.

Anyway these are my televangelists that I follow. I occassionally pick up others through our local CBN (Christian Broadcast Network) but they pre-empt a lot of national feeds with local ministers, most of whom are the shout, scream and point fingers type that I ran away from many years ago. My feeling is I want to understand the Bible so I can live it, not be beat over the head by it and want to hide from it.

First Sunday of the year..

I belong to Caton's Grove United Methodist Church just a half mile from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park entrance. It was founded in 1903. At one point it was overflowing but over the years many of the members have died out and their kids have moved to town and attend churches there.

There are only 11 members left but we are paired with a sister church that has a membership of about 40. We have a circuit pastor who preaches at our church first and then heads over to Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church for a second sermon. We do a lot of church dinners and get togethers as one unit and consider both churches as one family.

Being the first Sunday of the year, we discussed our hopes, dreams and goals for the coming year. Each spring the church is invaded by tons of ladybugs. A former pastor, Elizabeth, said we should pray that one day we have as many members as we have ladybugs. Several of us admitted we still pray the ladybug prayer, hoping for an increase of membership.

My own personal goals included trying to be more diligent with my business, to spend more time on my writing and to finish all these unfinished projects around the house. It has been a year since I moved in and I still have stacks of unpacked boxes.

Leroy, our pastor, pointed out that we can make all the plans we want but we should also take time to make sure they are the plans God has in mind for us. Sometimes we get an idea and get so excited about pursuing that goal that we forget to stop and ask God if that is a goal he wants us to achieve. Remember to pray for guidance in all pursuits.

Happy New Year

Linda :)

A place to share my Christian experices

As a Christian, I am always looking for new places to share the things I hear at church and the beautiful posts passed on by friends. This is my place to share them with others.

Hugs
Linda :)