bestofwords15.html

God is the final authority here, and I thank Him for you,
and allowing me to share with you in this way.
Lord, please continue to use me to do Thy Will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.
Keep me strong that I may help the weak and unsaved.
Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.
May the Holy Spirit always continue to guide me.
I ask for your continued prayers, and please pray for each other

Bunny's Words © 1999-2004 All rights reserved

Gard61@aol.com

Song Playing is: "Alleluia" by Praise And Worship

Music is for evaluation purposes only.
If you like the music, please support the artists by purchasing the CD.

I absolutely do not receive any monetary gain for anything.
Everything I do is freely given, as it was freely received.

There is a wonderful piece of choral music written by Randall
Thompson called "Alleluia." It also uses just one word throughout the piece -- "Alleluia." I had one choir member who didn't like it because he said, "It doesn't say anything." How wrong he was. If you've never heard Mr. Thompson's "Alleluia," you've missed a wonderful musical and spiritual treat.

"Alleluia" is the ultimate expression of praise to God when you are so overwhelmed that all other words fail. It is a word we may use when we finally get to see our Lord.

In Rev. 19:6 (nkjv) we read, "And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thundering, saying, "Alleluia!, for the Lord God omnipotent reigns." I'm looking forward to hearing that grand "Alleluia," aren't you?

I Know Where The Eagles Soar

I once knew where the eagles would soar
On outstretched wings over rocky shores
When I was young they came here then
To hunt the salmon and ride the wind
The cry of the eagles would fill my soul
As I listened from so far below
Rising to the Heavens on the strength of the breeze
With the dreams of my people on the tips of their wings
I once knew where the eagles would soar
In a time long past, but they come no more
The sky now longs for outstretched wings
I hear their cries only in my dreams
The valley has cried a river of tears
Man quickly destroyed what took ages to build
Never take more than you give and give back what you take
When all is lost it is then too late
The eagle was here for my father and his father before
And I once knew where the eagle would soar
There was a time I believed the eagle would
never come again to hunt the salmon or ride the wind
But a day came when I raised my head
A cry from the sky had stirred me again
As they sit, the eagle's free wings catch the breeze
They rise to the clouds to make the Heavens complete
Black feathers ruffle from the force of the wind
It's here they began, and here they'll begin.
Now rise to the Heavens with a wish on your wings
To be here forever to carry my dreams

Paige Gray ~Native Pride Wisdom~© 2001-02

You have the power to make happiness a way of life instead of an occasional experience.

Oh, God, Make Me A Better Parent

Oh, God, make me a better parent.
Help me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say and to answer all their questions kindly.
Keep me from interrupting them, talking back to them and contradicting them.
Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me.
Give me the courage to confess my sins against my children and to ask of them forgiveness, when I know that I have done them wrong.
May I not vainly hurt the feelings of my children.
Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes or resort to shame and ridicule as punishment.
Let me not tempt a child to lie and steal.
So guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do, that honesty produces happiness.
Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me.
May I cease to nag, and when I am out of sorts, help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue.
Blind me to the little errors of my children and help me to see the good things that they do.
Give me a ready word for honest praise.
Help to treat my children as those of their own age, but let me not exact of them the judgments and conventions of adults.
Allow me not to rob them of the opportunity to wait upon themselves, to think, to choose, and to make decisions.
Forbid that I should ever punish them for my self satisfaction.
May I grant them all of their wishes that are reasonable and have the courage always to withhold a privilege that I know will do them harm.

Amen

He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging
not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears.

************************

Zechariah 14:9
And the LORD will be King over the whole earth. On that
day there will be one LORD and His name the only name.

How be it in the church I had rather speak five words
with my understanding, that I might instruct others
also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

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1 Peter 2:1-3
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

For just as through the disobedience
of the one man, the many were made sinners,
so also through the obedience of the one man
the many will be made righteous.

************************

Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.

************************

Psalm 1:1
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the
counsel of the wicked, or stand in the
way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.

Sing to me

Sing to me your songs and your story
tell me of your hopes and dreams
let me into that secret place
you know so well
that vault somewhere
between never and forever
I hear your heart beating
and calling for the sunrise
to dance with the sunlight forevermore
I hear your passion throbbing
to be released from these chains
to dance in the fires again
I hear your soul vibrating
in tune with the cosmos
to dance with forever once more
I know of your pain
about the love that failed
and you'll never quite understand
why it had to happen at all
and why when one makes a promise
can't it last and grow forever
and blossom into a rainbow
for everyone to know
oh sing to me of your sorrow
and your joys as well
there's such a fine line
between Heaven and hell
let me taste of your tears
and your smiles too
open the doors to your sanctuary
and share your grief
as we bid it farewell
then we'll plant the seeds
of a new beginning
and it can be any color
you wish it to be
you once had faith
and I can feel it still
it's merely been slumbering
in need of a rest
along the byways of life
I have come for you
my dear friend in need
and you have known me
many times before
for my name is renewal
and I'm just for you
to trust and believe in
so sing to me of your songs
and welcome me home once again

dennis j hopkins

Psalm 56:3. "Heavenly Father, I confess, I am fearful.
Replace my fears with Your courage and peace.
Whenever I am afraid, I will put my trust in You."

The Bible says that the Holy Spirit, as He lives inside you, is your counselor, to help you understand the truth revealed in God's Word: "The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26).

The Holy Spirit will:

Teach you
Guide you
Strengthen you in your times of need

Dear Father, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that Christ died in my place, paying the penalty for my sin. I am willing to turn from my sin. I now invite Jesus Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior. I am willing, by Your help, to follow and obey Christ as the Lord of my life. Amen.

************************

Where To Find Help In A Time of Need

When needing courage: Psalm 138:3; Ephesians 6:10-13
When facing danger: Psalm 91; Psalm 121
When you have doubts about your salvation: John 3:16; 1 John 5:11-13
When in doubt of God’s power to keep you faithful: Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5
When in financial need: Psalm 34:10; Philippians 4:19
When needing forgiveness: Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 John 1:9
When seeking guidance: Proverbs 3:5-6; James 1:5
When lonely and depressed: Psalm 23; Hebrews 13:5
When your patience is being tried: Romans 8:28-29; James 1:2-4
When seeking peace in a stressful time: John 14:27; 16:33 Philippians 4:6-7
When filled with sinful pride: 1 Corinthians 4:7; Philippians 2:3-8
When burdened with many problems: Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7
When needing rest: Matthew 11:28-30; Galatians 6:9
When driven by selfish desire: Philippians 4:8; 1 John 2:15-17
When facing sorrow: Romans 8:26-28; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
When seeking God’s standard: Matthew 5:48; Matthew 22:36-40
When suffering: Psalm 34:19; 2 Corinthians 4:17
When facing temptation: 1 Corinthians 10-13; James 1:2-4 and 12-15
When being treated unfairly: 1 Peter 2:19-23; 1 Peter 4:12-15
When feeling weak and inadequate: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Philippians 4:13

Elbows On My bed

I was but a youth and thoughtless,
As all youths are apt to be;
Though I had a Christian mother
Who had taught me carefully.

There came a time when pleasure
Of the world came to allure,
And I no more sought the guidance
Of her love so good and pure.

Her tender admonitions fell
But lightly on my ear,
And for the gentle warnings
I felt an inward sneer.

But mother would not yield her boy
To Satan's sinful sway,
And though I spurned her counsel
She knew a better way.

She made my room an altar,
A place of secret prayer,
And there she took her burden
And left it in His care.

And morning, noon and evening
By that humble bedside low,
She sought the aid of Him who
Understands a mother's woe.

And I went my way unheeding,
Careless of the life I led,
Until one day I noticed...
Prints of elbows on my bed.

Then I saw that she had been there
Praying for her wayward boy,
Who for love of worldly pleasure
Would her peace of mind destroy.

Long the conflict raged within me,
Sin against my mother's prayers,
Sin must yield to her petition
While she daily met Him there.

And her constant love and patience
Were like coals upon my head,
Together with the imprints
Of her elbows on my bed.

And so at last the fight was won,
And I to Christ was led,
And mother's prayers were answered
By her elbows on my bed.

To believe is to know that every day is a new beginning. It is to trust that miracles happen, and dreams really do come true.
To believe is to see angels dancing among the clouds
to know the wonder of a star dust sky and the wisdom of the man in the moon.
To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart, the innocence of a child's eyes and the beauty of an aging hand, for it is through their teachings we learn to love.
To believe is to find the strength and courage that lies within us, when it is time to pick up the pieces and begin again. To believe is to know we are not alone, That life is a gift and this is our time to cherish it.
To believe is to know that wonderful surprises are just waiting to happen, and all our hopes and dreams are within reach. "If only we believe"

It's not enough to splash a little prayer on in the morning or to run through a sprinkler of God's mercy now and then. It's not enough to double our spirits in an hour of worship on Sunday or to dash into a drizzle of teaching every month or so. Our souls need to soak in God's presence. It's no luxury, this time we spend in the healing waters of God's grace. It's neither excess nor
indulgence to immerse ourselves in communion with our Creator. It's a spiritual necessity if we want to become the people God has created us to be.

Beyond Our Asking

More than hearts can imagine or minds comprehend,
God's bountiful gifts are ours without end.
We ask for a cupful when the vast sea is ours,
We pick a small rosebud from a garden of flowers,
We reach for a sunbeam but the sun still abides,
We draw one short breath but there's air on all sides.
Whatever we ask for falls short of God's giving
For His Greatness exceeds every facet of living,
And always God's ready and eager and willing
To pour out His mercy completely fulfilling
All of man's needs for peace, joy, and rest
For God gives His children whatever is best.
Just give Him a chance to open His treasures
And He'll fill your life with unfathomable pleasures,
Pleasures that never grow worn-out and faded
And leave us depleted, disillusioned and jaded.
For God has a "storehouse" just filled to the brim
With all that man needs, if we'll only ask Him.

Days Of Old

Now I sit in my later years and what my eyes see surrounding me, isn't good. Things over the many years have changed, and most of it is not for the good. Lives are so crowded, and people seem to always be in a hurry to go nowhere. We build and we destroy and never remember what was there.

In my youth I could walk down a dirt road where the trees had a tunnel effect, reaching over to each other as if shaking hands. The hot day's sun was shadowed by the cool canopy of the trees band, and the cool mountain stream by the road was so clear, your reflection it would retain. And no pollution in the air was to be found. Trees stood tall with roots buried deep into the country ground. The sky at night was so clear back then, you seemed to be able to reach up and touch Heaven's blue, and the freshness of clean air after a storm past.

These memories in my mind are holding precious and will always last, but somehow this was all destroyed by man. Now we all suffer this great loss, both me and you! Even still, I am thankful for what I have seen and loved. Some now, will never witness this. I must have been smiled upon with an intervention from above, and know deep in my heart, the Great Spirit showed me His love........ (SUNDOWN) a CHEROKEE

By R. Brent © 2002 (All rights reserved)

On Spirituality

The worship of the "Great Mystery" was silent, solitary, free from all self-seeking. It was silent, because all speech is of necessity feeble and imperfect. Therefore the souls of my ancestors ascended to God in wordless adoration. It was solitary, because they believed that He is nearer to us in solitude, and there were no priests authorized to come between a man and His Maker. None might exhort or confess or in any way meddle with the religious experience of another. Among us all men were created sons of God and stood erect, as conscious of their divinity. Our faith might not be formulated in creeds, nor forced upon any who were unwilling to receive it; hence there was no preaching, proselytizing, nor persecution, neither were there any scoffers or atheists

Dr. Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa)
Courtesy of the Special Collections Department, University of Iowa Libraries

************************

There Is No Success Without Hardship

The world is so constructed, that if you wish to enjoy its pleasures, you must also endure its pains. Like it or not, you cannot have one without the other.
Success is not measured by what you accomplish. It's measured by the opposition you encounter, and the courage with which you maintain your struggle against the odds.
You'll find all things are difficult before they are easy. The greater your obstacles, the more glory in overcoming them. So, make up your mind before you start, that sacrifice is part of the package.

No pain, no gain;
No thorns, no throne;
No cross, no crown.
You've got to go through the negative before you get to the positive.

Moving
Is taking my world apart
Completely rearranging it
And expecting to enjoy
A richer
More orderly existence.
It is long
Difficult
Requiring much labor and sacrifice
To gain a reward
That I cannot presently see.
But as I sort
Through box after box
To see what I can take with me
And what I must release
I look toward the freedom
The joy
That awaits in a new and happy home.
O Lord
How soon You'll move
To take this sinful world
And raise off it
All those who have labored
By Heaven's power
To be ready for Jesus' return.
May I prepare
For such glory yet unknown
That I may bear with me
Only that which is safe to carry
As I wait
For the day
When love shall lift me Home.

Just when I am disheartened, just when cares oppressed,
Just when my way is darkest, just when I am distressed,
Then is My Savior near me, He knows my every care;
Jesus will never leave me; He helps my burden to bear.

How To Make Life Easier

Recognize that there may be certain times of the day when you feel better and use that to your advantage.

Break large tasks into smaller ones; set priorities and take things one at a time; avoid taking on too much responsibility and setting overly difficult goals.

Try not to expect too much from yourself so as to lessen any feeling of failure you may have.

Activities such as exercise, attending sports or cultural events or participating in a religious or social event can help you feel better. It is important not to overdo it; feeling better takes time.

Avoid alcohol and non-prescribed drugs. This kind of self-medication may provide a temporary "high", but in the end will intensify depression.

If affected with Depressive disorders, you may feel exhausted, worthless, helpless and hopeless. You may feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these symptoms and negative thinking are part of depression. When treatment begins to take effect, the negative thinking fades.

Contentment is not getting everything we want, but accepting everything we’re given.

O God, when my faith gets over laden with dust, blow it clean with the wind of Your Spirit. When my habits of obedience get stiff and rusty, anoint them with the oil of Your Spirit.
Restore the enthusiasm of my first love for You.

When You Hurt It Matters

When you hurt...
It matters
The sun doesn't feel as warm.
The moon loses its luster.
The stars lack their usual radiance...
And seconds seem like an eternity.

When you hurt...
Nothing sounds as sweet.
Little ballerinas on music boxes
don't twirl so daintily,
and funny movies, cause tears to emerge.

When you hurt...
Imagination and curiosity retreat.
No bell rings when an angel receives their wings,
And fairy tales, have no "happily ever after."

When you hurt...
It doesn't help to hear that "I hurt too."
Because the possibility of another in so much
pain...seems impossible.

When you hurt...
It matters.
So much that,
I'm not going away.
Even if you tell me to...
Even if you shut the door...
Even if "silence" is all you can offer.
Even if my outstretched hand is too scary for
you to reach for.

When you hurt...
It matters,
And I will be there.
Because you did the same for me...
and...it mattered

Chickens Can't Fly

Don't spend major time with minor people.
If there are people in your life that continually disappoint you, break promises, stomp on your dreams, are too judgmental, have different values and don't cover
your back during difficult times...that is not a friend!!
To have a friend, be a friend.
Sometimes in life as you grow, your friends will either grow or go.
Surround yourself with people who reflect your values, goals, interests, and lifestyle. When I think of any of my successes, I am thankful to GOD from whom all blessings flow, and to my family and friends that enrich my life. Over the years my phone book has changed because I changed for the better. At first you think you're going to be alone, but after a while new people show up in your life that make your life so much sweeter and easier to endure.
Remember what your elders used to say, "Birds of a feather flock together."
If you're an eagle, don't hang around chickens:
Chickens Can't Fly!

I love the Lord and thank Him for all that He does in my life, therefore, I'm passing this on. Yes I do love Jesus. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and everyday.
Without Him, I will be nothing. Without Him, I am
nothing but with Him I can do all things. Phil 4:13

Silent tears wash my face after a storm in my heart
broken and shattered I wait, I wish the Lord would take me home. Then last night the Lord did take someone.
Now I know I must wait for the right time to go..
I know it's not now, hopefully not for a long while,
I wish I had someone to share my life with...
But right now it's just me and God..

I'm not even close to God...
I wish I knew Him like I should..
I'm scared of what would happen if I left now..
I know I wouldn't be ready to face Him..
I hate being hurt and I hate being lonely..
I feel so lost in this great big world..
They tell me of someone who loves me no matter what..
I know who they are talking about,
But it's hard for me to understand..
I know what His word says,
And I know how the spirit makes me feel,
But I don't know why I serve Him..
I just try living my life how I want to live it,
And I have discovered that gets you nowhere..
Well God put someone in my life who knew a few things
He had handled a few things like me..
When I started talking to Him I thought he was a little strange..
Well the reason He was a little strange was because He knew God..
God tells us to be set apart and He was..
I haven't even known Him very long,
But I know He will impact the rest of my life..
He has three daughters whom He loved dearly..
I heard about them all the time..
He treated me like a lady..
The way my father never treated me..
Now He is with the Good Lord in Heaven..
I'm happy He is no longer in pain,
But I'm glad I'm not gone yet..
Because I know what I have to do,
I have to get right with My Lord..
I have to do things for Jesus..
But first to have to get to know Him better
I know Jesus is the answer...
I just wished I lived like JESUS is the answer

I have had sometime to think.... This past year has been a time in which I was stretched to discover more of who I am as a child of God... a time of letting go in an even deeper sense so I could experience God's presence in the moment... I can only imagine how these words can sound to you, yet for me all that has happened has convinced me that if we hang on to what cannot be controlled, we miss what gifts God wants us to receive in the next moment...

God, I thank You for this particular group of people who choose to turn to You in prayer and to make their lives count in special ways wherever they are. Help us to let go when necessary, so that we may be filled with Your love. I ask You to Bless them and to give them strength and courage to do and be, all You call them to be.

The joy of the Lord is the strength for life's trials,
And lifts the crushed heart above sorrow and care.
Like the nightingale's notes, it can sing in the darkness,
And rejoice when the fig tree is fruitless and bare.

When we pray
"Lord, Your way.......
Whatever You have for me.......I'm Yours.
Just take me, open any door, lead me in any direction,"
and you will be astounded at what God will do...and goodness, does He ever inspire when we just give Him all the "What ifs."

O God, I want only Your will in my life. Open the doors You have for me, and give me the courage and faith to go through them.

Gracious Father, even though I may feel defeated,
I know deep within that You can change that.
Break through the darkness of my hopelessness and
bring the sunshine of Your love into my life once more.
Then reveal to me the rainbow of hope that
You offer to me forevermore.
In Jesus' name. Amen

The Stranger and The Message

A few years ago on a late Spring day a soft wind, like the softness of a baby's sigh, was blowing through the trees in the park. I went there that day not expecting anything more than just a few moments of solitude.
Oh, there were a few people there doing various things and the usual scurrying of the resident squirrels; but overall, it was fairly quiet. I was a little surprised with myself. I didn't usually go to the park alone, but I felt no apprehension going and being there alone that day. I had spent all morning at work and for some reason, I'm not certain of, I decided to take the
afternoon off to go to the park.

As I sat there at the picnic table, I watched two squirrels playing on a nearby tree. I wondered what it would be like to live such a seemingly, carefree life as they. Those two squirrels appeared to belong together, a bond was there, they belonged with each other. Oh how I wished I had that sense of belonging in my life. As a child, and into adulthood, I didn't feel like I was where I was suppose to be. The parent-child bond was there for me; but, I had always felt like there was something missing in my life. I took a deep breath, slowly exhaling, and watched the two squirrels run off to play elsewhere.

I was so immersed in my thoughts and feelings that I did not hear my visitor approach my table.

"Excuse me Miss, could I sit here with you?" asked the elderly man, his voice barely above a whisper. Oddly, I wasn't surprised that he approached me and had no problem with granting his request. I smiled and motioned for him to be seated.

He sat across from me, his hands clasped in front of him, resting on the table, he had such a calm expression on his face. I saw a familiarity in that old man's eyes but I couldn't place him, and was certain I had never seen or met him before. It seems like we sat there for the longest time, each looking at the other with a slight smile and an aura of peace about us. Across from me sat a stranger, but not a stranger, or so it seemed.

He broke the silence by saying to me, "We all belong even when we don't feel like we do. We all have a place to go."

I was taken back by his words and said, "I'm sorry, I don't understand what you are trying to say."

"Even as a child, you've felt that way." He replied and explained to me.

I was stunned and could not speak, but still felt no apprehension due to his words or his presence. He extended his hand, so warm and soft, and gently laid it upon my clasped hands. He squeezed my hands with that hand and said, "He wants you to come home."

And with that, he slowly rose to his feet and left. I sat there for hours, stunned. I thought about what he had said the rest of the day, and for days thereafter, but eventually I filed his words away. I never truly listened to the words of that stranger; at least, not until the day of my father's funeral four years later.

Daddy was raised Catholic, as were my siblings, and I was baptized Catholic as a newborn. It seemed only natural to have a priest at his funeral.
As I sat before daddy's coffin I saw the priest; but, did not hear his voice or words spoken. Although the priest and the stranger in the park were not the same man, I heard that whisper of the voice of the stranger and remembered his calm expression and the gentleness in his eyes. Those words spoken to me four years prior I heard once again.

This time I "listened" to the words, to the message that stranger delivered to me that day in the park.

"He wants you to come home."

About a month or so after daddy's funeral, I inquired and signed for the RCIA program at the parish where I was baptized as a newborn. I had made it to the place where I belonged, in God's loving embrace.

I realized there's a difference between "hearing" and
"listening"...finally... I "listened" to the message from the
stranger...and now... I'm home.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

In Jesus' Precious Name, Amen

Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, (do) all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God
the Father through Him.

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"Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world."

"As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do."

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Try to do your heavy thinking in the daytime:

"If a man had as many ideas during the day as he does when he has insomnia, he'd make a fortune."

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"Don't fight with the pillow, but lay down your head, and kick every worriment out of the bed."

I have a poem I just wrote this week on learning to let go and watch God take care of us. It's hard, when things go wrong, to not feel desperate, like we need to do something immediately, if anything to just get rid of the problem so we don't have to face it. It's always good to want to take action, but no matter how sound the solution is, the power must all come from God, and we must be calm and wait for Him to act.

Can It Be OK

Can it be ok
With the "me" that always wants my whims
When something seems to turn out wrong?
Can it be calm
Within me
When disaster threatens from without
And I long to overcome
Immediately
And hide all sign of discomfort
By my own struggling strength?
Can I get up
After a fall
And not fight
As to move back
Against the ever-forward push of time
To somehow wipe my sin from reality?
Can I be at peace
When another is suffering
And accept the pain
As beyond my human control to fix
So I may simply be still
And share my neighbor's hours of anguish?
Can I rest through the raging
Sing amid sorrow
As all might submit
To the chaos all around?
And yet
O God
As You lead me
And provide Your power
I know that in my restraint of will
I may surrender to You
And let You work
To heal
Renew
Create.
Can it be ok
When all is confusion?
Yes
If You
With Omnipotent Kingship
Orderly Keeping
Overwhelming Kindness
Stand up as I soon step aside
To watch a miracle shine.

The man of faith is never blind to the desolation. He sees clearly
all the terrible facts. But he sees more. He sees God.

1 Cor. 15:52 (nlt), "Not all of us will die, but
we will all be transformed. It will happen in a moment, in the
blinking of an eye."

"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your heart.
"You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.
The surgeon looked up, annoyed. "I'll cut your heart open," he
continued, "to see how much damage has been done..."
"But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in there."

The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. "When I see how much damage has been done, I'll sew your heart and chest back up and I'll plan what to do next."
"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there.
The hymns all say He lives there. You'll find Him in my heart."
The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find in your
heart. I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened
vessels. And I'll find out if I can make you well."
"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."

The surgeon left, and was sitting in his office later, recording his notes from the surgery, "damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed rest.
Prognosis:," here he paused, "death within one year." He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud. "Why did You do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this pain; and You've cursed him to an early death. Why?"

The Lord answered and said, "The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be.
Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow."

The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. "You created that boy, and You created that heart. He'll be dead in months. Why?"

The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for he has done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb."
The surgeon wept.

The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's
parents sat across from him.
The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?" "Yes," said the surgeon.
"What did you find?" asked the boy.
"I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.

"Today, my Great Spirit, let me remember to touch the earth. Let me slow down and live just for today. Let me be gentle, patient and kind." May you walk in sunshine, always, with the Spirit

The more you can expand your heart to consider other people's needs and viewpoints, the closer you will
come to experiencing your own inner happiness

My Grandfather told me one time that any person who is judgmental to another is also judgmental to themselves. If we want to be free of being judgmental, we need to first
work on how judgmental we are to ourselves.
If we quit judging ourselves and start accepting ourselves as we are, we will start accepting others as they are. Then we will experience a level of new freedom.

Great Spirit, let me accept myself as I am honoring
both my strengths and my weaknesses.

By: Don Coyhis

************************

A Childs' Ten Commandments To Parents

1. My hands are small; please don't expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you.

2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely. Don't restrict me unnecessarily.

3. Housework will always be there. I'm only little for a short time, please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world and do so willingly.

4. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs. Don't nag me all day long. (You wouldn't want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness).
Treat me as you would like to be treated.

5. I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended you to do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining me in a loving manner.

6. I need your encouragement to grow. Please go easy on the criticism; remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.

7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday I'll be prepared to make the kinds of decisions that life requires of me.

8. Please don't do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn't quite measure up to your expectations. I know it's hard, but please don't try to compare me to my brother or sister.

9. Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it's a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.

10. Please take me to church regularly, setting a good example for me to follow. I enjoy learning more about God.

************************

Dream Catcher:

In my dreams I awake and try to climb the wall back to reality.
But when I reach for the wall it disappears into the fog
and I stumble back into my dream.
Like life, my dream reveals my desires to be somewhere where I am not.
And like life, the fog hinders my dreams of what I long to be when I am awake.
So I shall dream while I lay awake and blow away the fog with confidence and pride for now I can sleep and dream of things done and not of things dreams are made of.

Who Will Take Grandma?

Who will take grandma? Who will it be? All of us WANT her, -- I'm sure you'll agree!
Let's call a meeting, -- let's gather the clan. Let's get it settled as soon as we can.
In such a big family there's certainly one willing to give her a place in the sun!
Strange how we thought that she'd never wear out, but see how she walks, -- it's arthritis, no doubt,
Her eyesight is faded, -- her memory's dim, she's apt to insist on the silliest whim.
When people get older they become such a care! She must have a home, -- but the question is -- where?
Remember the days when she used to be spry? Baked her own cookies and made her own pies?
Helped us with lessons and tended our seams, kissed away troubles and mended our dreams?
Wonderful Grandma! We all loved her so! Isn't it dreadful she's no place to go?
One little corner is all she would need, A shoulder to cry on, -- her bible to read.
A chair by the window with sun coming through, some pretty spring flowers still covered with dew.
Who'll warm her with love so she won't mind the cold? Oh, who will take Grandmother now that she's old?
What? Nobody wants her? Oh, yes, there is ONE, willing to give her a place in the sun, where she won't have to worry or wonder or doubt, and she won't be OUR problem to bother about. Pretty soon now, God will give her a bed, but who'll dry our tears when dear Grandma is dead?

A Point To Ponder:
One mother could take care of eight children, but eight children could not take care of one mother." Too much truth in that one, too!

The old people say, everyone has a song to sing. This song is the reason we are on this earth. When we are doing what we came on this earth to do, we know true happiness. How will we know our song?
Pray..............Ask the Great Mystery,
"What is it You want me to do during my stay on earth?"
Ask........ He will tell you.
He will even help you develop yourself to accomplish His mission.

Great Spirit, help me find my song and let me sing it.

Don Coyhis

Rocking With Me...

There was once an elderly, despondent woman in a nursing home. She wouldn't speak to anyone or request anything. She merely existed, rocking in her creaky old rocking chair.

The old woman didn't have many visitors. But every couple of mornings, a concerned and wise young nurse would go into her room. She didn't try to speak or ask questions of the old lady. She simply pulled up another rocking chair beside the old woman and rocked with her.

Weeks later, the old woman finally spoke.

"Thank you," she said. "Thank you for rocking with me."

************************

Pray first before you do anything, aim and shoot high in your goals, and stay focused on God. Never let others discourage you concerning your past. The past is exactly that, "the past."
Live everyday one day at a time. And remember that only God knows our future and that He will not put you through any more than you can bear. Do not look to man for your blessings but look to the Lord. He can open doors for you that only He is able to do. Doors that you will not slip through but doors that only He has prepared in advance for you in your favor.
Wait, and be still, patient: keep God first and everything else will follow.

I think that God is proud
of those that bear a sorrow bravely.
Proud indeed of them who
walk straight through the
dark to find Him there
and kneel in faith to touch
His garments hem.
How proud He must be
of them, He who knows
all sorrow and how hard
grief is to bear.
I think He sees them coming
and He goes with
outstretched arms to
meet them there,
and with a look,
a touch on hand or head,
each finds his hurt heart
strangely comforted.

A Difference

A man was walking along a beach
when he noticed in the distance the
shape of someone moving back and
forth from the water to the
beach and back again. He watched this
with interest for a moment then hurried his
pace to see what they were doing.

As he got closer he saw what had
happened literally thousands of
starfish had been washed up
onto the beach after a recent storm.
Beautiful five pointed stars, pink and tan,
laying on the sand, drying out and dying.

The figure he had seen was that of an elderly
woman as she moved slowly, but purposefully
picking up a starfish and then walking into the
surf and lowering it into the water, then back
to collect another starfish and carry it to the water.

The man picked his way through the
massive marine graveyard until he
reached the woman and asked her
"There are so many starfish here, how
can what you're doing make a difference?"

The old woman looked up at
him for a moment after depositing
another starfish into the water.
"It makes a difference to this one," she replied.

LORD, when the pressure is on and I am placed in a position to affirm or deny my relationship with You, help me always to stand strong, bold, and unwavering, ever ready to give an answer to anyone who may question my allegiance to You. I am assured that, as You promised, You will acknowledge our relationship before Our Father in Heaven as I acknowledge it before other people. Thank You for Your faithful and unconditional love.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

I have not been living all that I should,
Nor preparing for Your coming as well as I could.
So many times struggling with the same kinds of sin;
Only to get convicted, and repent, then try again.
So many times I have made promises to You;
Yet breaking the old ones, again promising to do.
All of the things that would bring Glory to You,
But failing once more, never seeing them through.
Why are You still with me? Why do You still care?
How much more of me do You feel You can bear?
In me doing those things, contrary to Your Will;
Yet my spirit is grieved, crying out to You still.
I never can return living in my old ways.
My place is with You, for now and always.
I don't deserve another chance just to fail You;
Still You never leave me alone, even though You knew
That I would fail many times, yet You still called my name
My life from that day, has never been the same
I feel torn and tattered, where can I now go?
I feel worn and battered, with sorrow to show
Lord help me to find my lost way back to You.
My heart will You touch and my spirit renew?
I quake in my spirit at You still wanting me,
Touch me now Lord, set my bound spirit free.
I know You forgive, I know You forget;
But forgiving myself, Oh how I do fret.
Help me see Mercy; Help me see Grace;
Help me to the throne, to again seek Your face.
Deliverance I need, and I know I must find.
Deliver me now Lord, from the chains that do bind.
A clean heart I'm needing, created just by You;
A right spirit in me Lord, You need to renew
The way I have left You, leaves me so brokenhearted;
Lord finish the work, that in me, You have started.
I need You to heal Lord, and send a new touch;
I need Your Presence, only You alone know how much.
I won't live without You being first in my Life,
Flesh warring with my spirit has caused me much strife.
Melt my heart Lord, to be sensitive and tender.
Teach me how Lord, to let go and surrender.
By faith I now stand, believing You have heard me;
Now I take my first steps, so my spirit can see.
So my spirit can feel, and my spirit can hear;
The chains unbinding, bringing deliverance so near.
Do You still want Me? I know now that You do;
I never again want to stray, and never want to leave You
Because You were Faithful, and refused to let me go,
From this day and forever in Your Spirit I will flow.

Index	Ten	Twenty	Thirty
One	Eleven	Twenty-One	Remembering One
Two	Twelve	Twenty-Two	Remembering Two
Three	Thirteen	Twenty-Three	Remembering Three
Four	Fourteen	Twenty-Four	Animals One
Five	Fifteen	Twenty-Five	Animals Two
Six	Sixteen	Twenty-Six	Animals Three
Seven	Seventeen	Twenty-Seven	Heroes
Eight	Eighteen	Twenty-Eight	Holidays
Nine	Nineteen	Twenty-Nine

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	The Christians with Chronic Illness/Pain Site Ring
	This site is owned and maintained by Bunny