bestofwords25.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: "Coming Home" by The Heritage Singers

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.

I do not want to die. . .
until I have faithfully made the most of my talent
given to me by God, and cultivated the seed that was
placed in me until the last small twig has grown.

Say often, "God Bless"
of any whom you find in disharmony with you,
or whom you desire to help.
Say it, willing that showers of blessings
and joy and success may fall upon them.

Leave to Me the necessary correcting or training;
you must only desire joy and blessing for them.
At present your prayers are that they should be taught and corrected.

Oh! If My children would leave My work to Me
and occupy themselves with what I give them.
Love, love, love.
Love will break down all your difficulties.
Love will build up all your successes.

God the destroyer of evil,
God the Creator of good --- is Love.
To love one another is to use God in your life.
To use God in your life is to bring into manifestation
all harmony, beauty, joy, and happiness."

Is The Cross You Wear Too Heavy To Bear?

Complainingly I told myself, "this cross is too heavy to wear"
And I wondered discontentedly why God gave it to me to bear.
And I looked with envy at others whose crosses seemed lighter than mine
And wished that I could change my cross for one of a lighter design -
And then, in a dream, I beheld the cross I impulsively wanted to wear,
It was fashioned of pearls and diamonds and gems that were precious and rare.
And when I hung it around my neck the weight of the jewels and the gold
Was much too heavy and cumbersome for my small, slender neck to hold -
So I tossed it aside and before my eyes was a cross of rose-red flowers
And I said with delight as I put it on, "this cross I can wear for hours" -
For it was so dainty and fragile, so lovely and light and thin,
But I had forgotten about the thorns that started to pierce my skin -
And then in my dream I saw "my cross," rugged and old and plain,
That clumsy old cross I had looked upon with discontented disdain -
And at last I knew that God had made this "special cross for me,"
For God in His great wisdom knew what I before could not see,
That often the loveliest crosses are the heaviest crosses to bear,
For only God is wise enough to choose the cross we can wear -
So never complain about your cross, for your cross has been blest,
God made it just for you to wear and remember, God knows best!

Every struggle whether won or lost, strengthens us for the next to
come. It is not good for people to have an easy life. They become
weak and inefficient when they cease to struggle. Some need a series
of defeats before developing the strength and courage to win a victory.

Victorio, Mimbres Apache

As I walk the trail of life in the fear of the wind and rain.
Grant O Great Spirit That I may always walk like a man.

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

"Everybody Knows"
You can't be all things to all people.
You can't do all things at once.
You can't do all things equally well.
You can't do all things better than everyone else.
Your humanity is showing just like everyone else's.
So...
You have to find out who you are, and be that.
You have to decide what comes first and do that.
You have to discover your strengths, and use them.
You have to learn not to compete with others,
Because no one else is in the contest of "being you".
Then...
You will have learned to accept your own uniqueness.
You will have learned to set priorities and make decisions.
You will have learned to live with your limitations.
You will have learned to give yourself the respect that is due,
And you'll be a being that's vitally alive.
Dare To Believe...
That you are a wonderful unique person.
That you are a once-in-all-history event.
That it's more than a right, it's your duty, to be who you are.
That life is not a problem to solve, but a gift to cherish,
and you'll be able to stay one up on what used to get you down.

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

"With God's strength behind you, His love within you,
and His arms underneath you, you are more than
sufficient for the days ahead of you."

"Remember the turtle ~ he never makes any progress
until he sticks his neck out."
[from Life Lessons, 1993]

"Who I Am"

I am not my hair, my eyes, my nose or my mouth.
I am not my skin or the shape of any of my body parts.
I am not the IQ of my brain.
I am not the sound of my voice or the volume of my laughter.
I am not my strengths or any of my weaknesses.
I am not the level of my skills.
The temple of my physical makeup is a culmination of genetics.
It reveals nothing about the person who resides within.
I take no credit or point no blame for the way I look.
My temple is perfect, as is.
This body is not who I am.
It is an exquisitely perfect dwelling for my soul.
Everything about it is exactly as it should be.
No other, anywhere, ever, could serve my soul as well.
I am not anything you can see with your eyes or touch with your hands.
Should you judge me by that criteria, you will never know me.
I am not a dumping ground for bias that's based on a
man-made standard, and I do not accept the prejudice it creates.
I am a union of body, mind and spirit, a trio, not a solo.
To know me, is to know yourself.
Those who hear the voice of their soul, recognize the song in mine.
They do not stop at the front door and judge me by the dwelling
in which I reside. With a humble sense of honor,
they knock upon the door and ask to come in.
The judgment of others does not change who I am.
Quite the opposite is true. It reveals who they are.
Those who deem me unworthy at a glance and pass me on by,
have my blessing to keep walking, for they have a long way to go.
They have not reached the point in their journey where
they are able to see and appreciate me for who I am.
I will accept no less.

© 2001 Terri McPherson............Windsor, Ontario, Canada

"Judge Gently"

Pray, don't find fault with the man that limps, or stumbles along the road.
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears, or struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt, though hidden away from view.
Or the burden he bears placed on your back, might cause you to stumble too.
Don't sneer at the man who's down today, unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall or felt the shame, that only the fallen know.
You may be strong but still the blows that were his if dealt to you
In the selfsame way, at the selfsame time, might cause you to stagger too.
Don't be too harsh with the man that sins or pelt him with word or stone
Unless you are sure - yea, doubly sure - that you have no sins of your own.
For you know, perhaps, if the tempter's voice should whisper as soft to you
As it did to him when he went astray, it might cause you to falter too.

If I can help somebody as I pass along,
If I can cheer somebody with a word or song;
If I can show somebody he is traveling wrong,
Then my living shall not be in vain.

Vain can be used in several ways --
self-centered or not useful.
In either case, a Christian should not be vain.
If our lives count for Christ,
then our lives should be meaningful to others.
A self-centered life has to be a
lonely life. If "you" are your main interest in life,
you'd better really like who
you are or you'll be terribly lonely and unhappy.
This little verse in Proverbs 19:17 (niv) says a lot:
"He who is kind to the poor
lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done."
Helping others is incredibly satisfying -- try it!

To realize the value of a sister
Ask someone who doesn't have one.
To realize the value of ten years:
Ask a newly divorced couple.
To realize the value of four years:
Ask a graduate.
To realize the value of one year:
Ask a student who has failed a final exam.
To realize the value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize the value of one month:
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of one hour:
Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realize the value of one second:
Ask a person who has survived an accident.
To realize the value of one millisecond:
Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when you can share it
with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend: Lose one.

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

I wrote this one about faith. Enjoy.

Like the Grass
I was taken in a dream
To a large, grassy field.
I watched as the grass was cut
But by the light of the sun
And the freshness of the rain
It quickly grew back as before.
Again and again
The grass was cut
And again and again
It grew back.
I asked the one showing me these things
To explain the meaning of the mystery.
Softly He replied:
"My child
Like the grass
Your faith may be cut down
Over and over
And like the grass
You may grow back
With the light of My Presence
And the water of My Spirit.
So by My power
You may ever reach
Toward Heaven."

Ray McAllister. (24 March 2003)

Gravel Roads

I love gravel roads-narrow ones with lots of dust
and bends. They are not always the best paths
for travel as in the winter the twists in the road
often fill with snow, making the roads unusable.
But oh, in the spring, summer and fall a gravel
road is a place to wander. Every day on such a
road dances a new dance.

A gravel road is a special place. A place to be
without company. There is a quiet happiness to
be found in periodic reflections. A time to think
and to be grateful. I was a regular walker of gravel
roads almost as soon as I had learned to walk.
Sometimes I would walk at a slow and deliberate
pace. At other times I would run in most haste.

A gravel road was a place that was easy for me to
get along with. A comfortable spot where my
imagination had no boundaries. A place where I
could laugh loudly over nothing. A location where
I could be unseen by anything other than the hawk
flying overhead and the deer hiding in the tall grass.
True, the road could be hot and dusty in the
summer, but that made me appreciate the gentle
breezes it occasionally provided all the more.

I would sample the raspberries that fruited for my
pleasure. My eyes were well fed by the beauty of
the wildflowers that grew among the thin, young
saplings bordering the road. The young trees had
fled to the open spaces offered by the road ditch.
Trees do not grow well in the shadow of their
parents. They grow tall away from home.

Often, a car would stop. I would decline the kind
offer of a ride. "Why walk when you could ride?"
I'd be asked. What I was doing was so much more
than walking. I was enjoying life. I still walk gravel
roads. I still hear nature's softest voice as the
breeze blows through the wind-catching hedge
of small trees and grasses. Why walk when I could ride?

We all leave our signature upon the land. Mine
will be footprints in the dusty crown of a gravel
road. I walk instead of riding because walking
a gravel road is one joy I do not want to disappear
from my life.

Al Batt, © 1997

You are ushering in another day untouched and freshly new,
so here I come to ask You God if You'll renew me too?
Forgive the many errors, that I made yesterday, and let me try
again dear God, to walk closer in Thy Way.
But Father, I am well aware I can't make it on my own.
So take my hand and hold it tight for I can't walk alone.
Amen

The Boat

"Oh God, thy sea is so great, and my boat is so small."

You will never have more put on you than you can bear.
Yes, it's a big sea, and yes, your boat may be small in comparison.
But it's big enough to keep you afloat and get you to dry land.
And big or small, you are the captain, president of your ship.

"Oh God, thy sea is so great, and my boat is so small."

Acceptance is.......
The road to peace, letting go of the worst,
Holding on to the best and finding the hope inside
That continues throughout life.

Acceptance is...
The heart's best defense,
Loves greatest asset, and the easiest way
to keep believing in yourself and others.

Acceptance...
Does not mean, you will always be perfect,
It simply means, you'll try to overcome imperfections.

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

A Prayer For The World

Let the rain come and wash away the ancient grudges,
the bitter hatreds held and nurtured over generations.
Let the rain wash away the memory of the hurt, the neglect.
Then let the sun come out and fill the sky with rainbows.
Let the warmth of the sun heal us wherever we are broken.
Let it burn away the fog so that we can see each other clearly.
So that we can see beyond labels, beyond accents, gender or skin color.
Let the warmth and brightness of the sun melt our selfishness.
So that we can share the joys and feel the sorrows of our neighbors.
And let the light of the sun be so strong
that we will see all people as our neighbors.
Let the earth, nourished by rain, bring forth flowers
to surround us with beauty. And let the mountains teach our
hearts to reach upward to heaven.

Amen

-Rabbi Harold S. Kushner

The night has a thousand eyes and the day but one,
yet the light of the bright world dies with the dying sun;
The mind has a thousand eyes and the heart but one,
yet the light of a whole life dies when love is done ...

Francis William Bourdillon

"Ye, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death,
I will fear no evil."

The journey each of us walks is not always a meadow full of
flowers. Sometimes it is a journey up a mountain, loose
rocks and steep inclines.

We so often loose sight of the beautiful scenery because
of our attempts to hold on. We have to struggle
with many things in this world that makes us feel alone.

Arthritis grips us tight and wrenches pain from within.
Diabetes cuts our feelings ulcerates our skin.
Cancer files away at the cells of our body and leaves us weak.
Blindness takes away our vision and paints our world black.
Mental disabilities hold our thoughts and leave us in a lonely room.
Cruelty of others cuts our hearts and leaves us empty.

We were born to celebrate, to reach up and believe.
We were born to rejoice, to lift our hands to life.
We were born to sing, to paint rainbows with our voice.
We were born to love, to hold the hands of gentleness.
We were born to share, to be a blessing to those around us.

Reach up, my friend and believe for that is God's dream.
Lift your hands, my friend and live for that is God's purpose.
Paint your world, my friend with songs for that is God's compassion.
Hold on, my friend with gentleness for that is God's love.
Bless those around you, my friend for you are God's gift.

No less than a flower planted by angels and nurtured by
the hands of God

This Is Just A Resting Place
Sometimes the road of life seems long as we travel through the years,
And with hearts that are broken and eyes brimful of tears,
We falter in our weariness and sink beside the way
But God leans down and whispers, "Child, there'll be another day."
And the road will grow much smoother and much easier to face,
So do not be disheartened, this is just a resting place.

If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.
Lord I love You and I need You, come into my heart, Today.
For without You I can do nothing

Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers
but to be fearless in facing them.
Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain
but for the heart to conquer it.
Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved
but hope for the patience to win my freedom.
Grant that I may not be a coward,
but let me find the grasp of Your hand in my failure.

It's not easy...
To apologize
To begin over
To be unselfish
To take advice
To admit error
To face a sneer
To be charitable
To keep on trying
To be considerate
To avoid mistakes
To profit by mistakes
To forgive and forget
To think and then act
To keep out of the rut
To make the best of little
To subdue an unruly temper
To maintain a high standard
To shoulder a deserved blame
To recognize the silver lining...
But it always pays -- try it.

Dance With The Angels

She was but a wee child,
only slightly taller than her beloved little puppy.
Aye, but her heart was as large as the sun
that hung brightly in the sky.
Her smile was sweet and broad like a
pink rose when in full bloom.
And her childish giggles would cause
even the biggest sourpuss to smile.

Gleefully, she would dance and twirl, so carefree, so without
worry or concern. She would leap and jump,
her tiny reddish-curls bouncing and bobbing with each step.
She was God's child; perfumed in joy and innocence,
she was enchanting. She drew all into her celebration of life,
so delightful, even angels danced with her.

Oh wee lass, I see you so clearly, let me sit here and watch,
and remember. To bring back for just one day, for but one moment,
the same joy you now embrace. Touch me once again with the
innocence that cloaks you, the bliss you walk in.
Become my eyes once again, that I may see as you now see,

She stood on tiptoes and she danced,
her arms stretched towards heaven.
A bit older now, but still untouched by pain or worry or fear.
Life remains sweet. Her puppy, now her faithful companion,
shares in her girlish secrets and dreams.
Wee steps replaced with graceful leaps,
giggles still become her; the heart remains open.

Oh young lass, I see you so clearly,
let me sit here and watch, and remember.
You see all in wonderment, your prayers are
simple ones, angels do not hide their face.
Smile young lass, enjoy your days of expectation,
trouble is an unknown stranger.
Dance young lass, celebrate your life, while youth's virtue
still clothes you softly.

Springtime waltzed by her, year after year,
and the blossoms did bud and fade.
And her laughter is still joyful, but not with the fullness
as had been once before. The lass is now a young woman,
and burdens do weigh on her shoulders and feet.
She endeavors to continue with life's dance,
learning to hide disappointments in her smile.

She balances on tiptoes, she moves with elegance.
Her body now long and lean.
Her giggles are quieted, she wears a faint smile,
somber eyes are cast downward.
Obligation now her partner, it restrains her,
dictating every step, her dreams begin to fade.
Her companion only a memory buried along with her secrets;
her heart now a graveyard.

Oh solemn lass, I see you so clearly, let me sit here and watch,
and remember. Would that I could hold you, dry your tears ...
Life is not always as one hopes it to be.
Compromise; such an unfriendly word to one who sought
such high aspirations.
Dance lass, please, once more time.
With painted smiles she dances, her arms hung low.

Winter sets in, life is frozen and cold,
wee steps are all that she can now take.
Faint lines are seen where laughter was once expressed
in her eyes and her smile.
She balances on a chair, with feet twisted and callused.
Her body now frail and bent.
Memories lost, as is the day, faces of strangers is all that she sees.
She is now alone.

Oh precious lass, I see you so clearly, it is time to join you.
Lass, hold my hand, don't be afraid.
Lass, let me tuck the wisps of gray hair away from your
lovely and beautiful face.
Lass, let me kiss those eyes that once sparkled with joy,
I still can see a faint glimmer.
Let me lift you to your feet, and on your toes once more.
Lass ... hold my hand ... it is time.

She stood on tiptoes, and angels came forth to accompany
her home, one on each side.
A wee puppy was placed in her arms, and its warm little
tongue licked away all the tears.
Aye, she was God's child once again,
perfumed in joy and wholeness.
She was radiant!
She stood on tiptoes, arms lifted, puppy by her feet.
Dance lass ... Dance with the angels!

© Suzanne M. Nichols
SimplySuzanne@AOL.COM
December 1997.............All Rights Reserved
Used with permission

My life is but a weaving between my God and me.
I may not choose the colors but He knows what they should be.
For He can view the pattern upon the upper side
While I see it.....only on the underside.
Sometimes He weaveth sorrow which seemeth strange to me
But I will trust His judgment and work on faithfully.
Tis He who fills the shuttle. For He knows what is best
And I shall weave in earnest and leave with Him the rest.
At last when life has ended with Him I shall abide
Then I may view the pattern upon the other side.
Then I shall know the reason why, pain with joy entwined
Was woven in the fabric of life......that GOD designed.

Almost Home

If we travel East, or if we travel West,
no matter where we roam,
Oh! How sweet it is, to turn around,
and know we're almost Home.

As we search the world for its beauty,
whether it be land or foam,
The most beautiful part of our journey,
is the time we're "almost Home."

As we struggle in life for incentive,
and try to reach for the dome,
How great it is to know we have tried,
and know we're almost Home.

My footprints will soon be over,
that are made in clay or in loam.
"Please Lord, deliver a message...
Tell my Mother, "I'm almost Home."

Howard McDowell

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

I did not know His love before, the way I know it now.
I could not see my need for Him, my pride would not allow.
I had it all, without a care, the "self-sufficient" lie.
My path was smooth, my sea was still, not a cloud was in my sky.

I thought I knew His love for me, I thought I'd seen His grace,
I thought I did not need to grow, I thought I'd found my place.
But then the way grew rough and dark, the storm clouds quickly rolled;
The waves began to rock my ship, I found I had no hold.

The ship that I had built myself was made of foolish pride.
It fell apart and left me bare, with nowhere else to hide
I had no strength or faith to face the trials that lay ahead,
And so I simply spoke His name and bowed my weary head.

His loving arms enveloped me, and then He helped me stand.
He said, "You still must face this storm, but I will hold your hand."
So through the dark and lonely night He guided me through pain.
I could not see the light of day or when I'd smile again.

Yet through the pain and endless tears, my faith began to grow.
I could not see it at the time, but my light began to glow.
I saw God's love in a brand new light, His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone could Jesus' love shine through.

It was not easy in the storm, I sometimes wondered why.
At times I thought, "I can't go on." I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry.
But Jesus never left my side, He guided me each day.
Through pain and strife, through fire and flood, He helped me all the way.

And now I see as never before how great His love can be
How in my weakness He is strong, how Jesus cares for me!
He worked it all out for my good, although the way was rough.
He only sent what I could bear, and then He said, "Enough!"

He raised His hand and said, "Be still!" He made the storm clouds cease.
He opened up the gates of joy and flooded me with peace.
I saw His face now clearer still, I felt His presence strong,
I found anew His faithfulness, He never did me wrong.

And now I know more storms will come, but only for my good,
For pain and tears have helped me grow as nothing ever could.
I still have so much more to learn as Jesus works in me;
If in the storm I'll love Him more, that's where I want to be!

There is nothing in life that love cannot change. When we feel love, our hearts
feel much lighter. It lets us feel tenderness and warmth and it gives us a
sense of "wholeness" that avoids loneliness. It helps us bear hardships without
complaint, and it endures suffering with a smile.
Love ~ helps us judge with our hearts and not our minds.

When I am lonely and perhaps I feel despair,
Let not my ailing heart forget that You hear every prayer.
Remind me that no matter what I do or fail to do,
There still is hope for as long as I have faith in You.
Let not my eyes be blinded by some folly I commit,
But help me to regret my wrong and make amends for it.
Inspire me to put my fears upon a hidden shelf,
And in the future try not to feel sorry for myself.
Give me the restful sleep I need before another dawn,
And bless me in the morning with the courage to go on.

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

Treasure each other in recognition that
we do not know how long we shall have each other....

I was an onion before Christ set me free.
Layers upon layers of iniquity.
An ugly old onion whose fragrance was strong;
That my Jesus bought and loved all along.

Unknown to me what He was going to do.
Of what He was planning, I had not a clue.
Pulling each layer off one by one.
In order to make me more like Jesus the Son.

The first layer wasn't so bad.
I saw all the sins that I knew I had.
They were easy to fix, just change the way I talk.
And learn more of how He wanted me to walk.

Reading His Word, and learning again;
How to put aside my life of sin.
But the next layer was pulled which hurt more.
He was getting closer to the core.

Unknown what He would find there.
I simply gave it to Him in prayer.
As another layer was removed, He started to cry;
Pulling this layer brought pain to my Father on High.

And I was crying over the sadness I felt;
The brokenness and all of the guilt.
Past memories that I thought were gone;
They were buried under layers disguised in a fragrance so strong.

As onions peel more and more;
And they put tears in our eyes as we get close to the core;
So my Father wept over my pain;
Giving me a balm of comfort and strength to sustain.

"No More Layers." I would scream.
As He continued to peel them off of me.
"I'll have nothing left my Lord, what will I do?
I'll be nothing but a worthless core to you. "

But He just said "Trust me," and continued to peel
I was sure He was blinded to my pain that was so real.
Year after year I shrunk more and more;
Until all that was left of this onion was a core.

It was then that I began to understand;
As the Lord embraced me in His loving hand.
He said, now and only now can you be;
The creation that will minister before me.

Clothed with the righteousness only from above;
Gone are your layers of self so you can be filled with my love.
He took my layers of sin, hurt and pain;
And clothed me with love, truth and mercy in His name.

Yes, we are all onions, learning with each day;
How to overcome as each layer is taken away.
Some layers tear and pull at our heart;
While others grieve us to our innermost part.

But we are nothing but an ugly onion without Christ.
Layers upon layers of pride, sin and strife.
Only God can take those layers away.
And clothe us with His righteousness in that final day.

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

The fruit of Silence is Prayer.
The fruit of Prayer is Faith.
The fruit of Faith is Love.
The fruit of Love is Service.
The fruit of Service is Peace.

The fullness of our heart is expressed in our eyes, in our touch,
in what we write, in what we say, in the way we walk,
the way we receive, the way we need.
That is the fullness of our heart expressing itself in many different ways.

~Mother Teresa~

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

Acceptance

Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today.
When I am disturbed, it is because I find
some person, place, thing or situation -
some fact of my life unacceptable to me
and I can find no serenity until I accept
that person, place, thing or situation
as being exactly the way it is suppose to be at this moment.

Nothing ... absolutely Nothing
happens in God's world by mistake;
unless I accept life completely on life's terms,
I cannot be happy.

I need to concentrate
not so much on what needs to be changed in the world,
but on what needs to be changed in me
and in my attitudes.

The Road of Life

At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge,
keeping track of the things I did wrong,
so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die.
He was out there sort of like a president.
I recognized His picture when I saw it,
but I really didn't know Him.
But later on when I met Christ,
it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride,
but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed
that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.
I don't know just when it was that He suggested we
change places, but life has not been the same since.
When I had control, I knew the way.
It was rather boring, but predictable.
It was the shortest distance between two points.
But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts,
up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds.
It was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, "Pedal!" I worried and was anxious and asked,
"Where are you taking me?"
He laughed and didn't answer,
and I started to learn to trust.
I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure,
and when I'd say, "I'm scared,"
He'd lean back and touch my hand.
I gained love, peace, acceptance and joy;
gifts to take on my journey,
My Lord's and mine.
And we were off again.
He said, "Give the gifts away.
They're extra baggage, too much weight."
So I did, to the people we met,
and I found that in giving I received,
and still our burden was light.
I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life.
I thought He'd wreck it; but he knows bike secrets,
knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
knows how to fly to shorten, scary passages.
And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places,
and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze
on my face with my delightful constant companion,
Jesus Christ.
And when I'm sure I just can't do it anymore,
He just smiles and says... "Pedal."

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

A Healing Prayer

The Sage it burns------its prayer do heed,
To heal with strength------for those in need.
We join our hearts-----our souls-----our hopes,
For heaven's strength-----and love to cope.
Creator bonds with all who pray,
Each sage is lite------from day to day.
To burn with honor with Nature's force,
To hope-----to heal--------life's honored course.
The prayers rise up-------they fill the Earth,
Creator's glory-------that comes first.
The light of strength and scents of peace,
will join with prayers for pains release.
That smoke it drifts-------white films dance on,
Enjoining prayers from Spirits' songs,
They come-------They join-------with smoke's great hue,
To heal Their own-----renewal --------due.
We send our hearts--------we send our strengths,
We send our love--------hopes joined at length.
Though tears do fall which cleanse the soul,
They're tears of love which make life whole.

Written & Told By: ErthAvengr

Was Born Of Yesterday's Sorrow
Who said the darkness of the night
Would never turn to day ...
Who said the winter's bleakness
Would never pass away ...
Who said the fog would never lift
And let the sunshine through ...
Who said the skies now overcast
Would nevermore be blue ...
Why should we ever entertain
These thoughts so dark and grim
And let the brightness of our mind
Grow cynical and dim ...
When we know beyond all questioning
That winter turns to spring ...
And on the notes of sorrow
New songs are made to sing ...
For no one sheds a teardrop
Or suffers loss in vain,
For God is always there to turn
Our losses into gain.
And every burden born TODAY
And every present sorrow
Are but God's happy harbingers
Of a joyous, bright TOMORROW!

God Sent Me An Angel

I was walking along a country road, one calm and cloudy day,
Feeling down about the problems, that had seemed to come my way,
My pain was very great, and my tears I could not hide,
And was calling God to help me, as I was hurting deep inside.

I then thought about what I've believed, and how I've rarely called,
For sometimes I have wondered, if God was there at all,
As I lifted up my head and looked, down that road a spell,
I spotted someone coming, from the distance, hard to tell.

As he got a little closer, I could then see all the signs,
Of someone who'd been down that road, quite a number of times,
His clothes were old and dusty, and his shoes were pretty worn,
But there seemed a glow about him, at least I could have sworn.

His face appeared real friendly, as he peered up in the sky,
He said, "The weather is pretty calm today, hope the rain will pass us by,"
He first talked about the weather, but there seemed to be much more,
That we both had in common, except for what we wore.

He started talking about his life, and the places he had been,
And he spoke as though he knew me, like we were next of kin,
From the problems that he had, to the happy times he found,
Our likeness was uncanny, and was becoming more profound.

We had so much in common, I couldn't believe how much alike,
That I decided to tag along, we continued on our hike,
He said he's from all over, and his name was just like mine,
And hoped one day we would meet, as he had a real short time.

I was feeling sort of baffled, as we went on with our walk,
But he had held my interest, so I listened as he talked,
He said, "I know you're hurting, as your life has been so hard,
But it seems today you've found God, where once you'd disregard."

From the point that I was calling, and was asking for God's hand,
Was the point where he had first appeared, as this was in God's plan,
He said to take more time for prayer, that I could bend God's ear,
That He is always listening, and He is always near.

God knows about my struggles, but better times will be ahead,
As long as I keep believing, and will no longer be misled,
We then turned onto a sidewalk, and now very close to home,
And it was then it struck me, that I was suddenly now alone.

This stopped me in my tracks, and I began to call his name,
And it was then I understood, why to me that day he came,
I then realized God had heard me, as my angel He did send,
To relieve me of my worries, and all my discontent.

Today I pray more often, and feel blessed with my God's love,
As He was there and listening, and sent an angel from above.

"He Chose the Nails" by Max Lucado.

"Through the eyes of Scripture we see what others missed but what Jesus
saw as His hands were nailed to the cross. 'He canceled the record that
contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by
nailing it to Christ's cross.'
(2 Col.2:14 NLT)

Between His hand and the wood there was a list. A long list. Dangling
from the cross is an itemized catalog of your sins.
The list God has made, however, cannot be read. The words can't be
deciphered. The mistakes are covered. The sins are hidden. Those at
the top are hidden by His hand; those down the list are covered by his
blood. Your sins are 'blotted out' by Jesus.
This is why He refused to close his fist. He saw the list! What kept
Him from resisting? This warrant, this tabulation of your failures. He
knew the price of those sins was death. He knew the source of those
sins was you, and since He couldn't bear the thought of eternity without
you, He chose the nails.
So the hands of Jesus opened up. Had the soldier hesitated, Jesus
himself would have swung the mallet... He knew that the purpose of the
nail was to place your sins where they could be hidden by His sacrifice
and covered by His blood.
So Jesus himself swung the hammer.
The same hand that stilled the seas stills your guilt.
The same hand that cleansed the Temple cleanses your heart.
The hand is the hand of God.
The nail is the nail of God.
And as the hands of Jesus opened for the nail,
the doors of heaven opened for you.

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

Acts 1:11 (nlt) says, "...why are you standing here staring at the
sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into Heaven. And someday,
just as you saw Him go, He will return."

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

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.

I Thessalonians 5:16-17

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

Something small so often comes to rescue us at a crucial point of
making a mistake. How very much we wanted to react violently
to respond in the same manner in which we were approached.
But somewhere deep inside, a gentler voice asked,
What is that to you? Why be the other half of disagreement?
Even an animal is smart enough not to run
into a place where it can get tangled in a trap.
Most arguments are traps of one kind or another.
But relax right out of it.
Let go, and realize that what is happening
should be avoided like poison.
The argument or disagreement, is on the other side--
leave it there.
The best revenge is to refuse to fight--
and it brings to mind what someone said,
If you argue with a fool, you will end up being one.

I will fight no more forever...........CHIEF JOSEPH

By: Joyce Sequichie Hifler

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

It's easy to keep trying when you're winning,
but heroes are those who keep trying when despair
and defeat are staring them in the face

"When you go inside that power, there's no fear. It's so beautiful!
There's no fear there. There's no pain."
-Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA

Imagine you are standing on the edge of a stage.
In the center of the stage is a spotlight shining from above.
If you stand anyplace outside the spotlight, in the darkness,
you will experience fear.
But as soon as you step into the light in the center of the stage,
all fear and pain go away.
When we stand in the power, fear cannot exist.
How do we find this place of power?
We pray our way into it.
We ask the Creator to take our hand and help us.
When we get to that place, we will feel the fear go away.

Great Spirit, hold my hand and guide me today.

By: Don Coyhis

I know it's so hard to embrace hope in your heart
when your dreams are suddenly crashing into hopelessness.
It seems your only friend is the darkness around you,
but the darkness makes you feel cold and fearful,
and becomes your bitter enemy.
My friend, Hope will carry you through your darkest trial.
Even when you feel alone in your pain,
GOD IS VERY NEAR.

He understands your grief and
He knows all the pain you've endured.
Right now, it's very hard for you to believe this
experience will eventually work out for your good.

Especially now, when the unknown scares you.
Often, when we have endured many storms,
we fear the worst and our faith is terribly shaken.
We want so deeply to trust our future to God,
but doubts flood our mind and, like roaring rapids,
our thoughts are sometimes out of control.

"Be Still," God says to us gently.
In our stillness we will know God is in control.
My friend, I, too, have endured many storms,
and I sometimes felt God had forsaken me.
I would pray and only hear echoes of silence.
I, too, would envision the worst. God never forsakes us;
even His silence has a purpose.
He loves us so deeply. He understands our doubts
and fears, and He loves us still.
Soon the dark clouds will be lifted and the Light
once again will touch your life.
Someday you will look back and know God in
His infinite Wisdom had a greater purpose for your life.
My friend, hold on to hope and hope will hold onto you.
Remember, In the darkness,
God still hangs the moon!

My Cup Runneth Over

Life in the desert
I sup of it
The sips I take
Are most delicious
I drink till I am satisfied
My cup runneth over
I have faith in God
Experience hope and laughter
I have love
I ride the plains with freedom
The arid country
Appeals to my wanderlust nature
Beautiful in every scene
Even the creatures living here love it
Rain comes seldom
I never ask
I know that it will come
Then shall my cup
Be filled with living water.

Maria©

"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

We have two ends; one for sitting and one for thinking.
My success depends on which one I use more.
Lord, grant me the determination and the necessary energy
that I need to accomplish my goals for today and for my future.

Everyday you change the world.
Today will be no exception.
At the end of this day, things will be different
because of what you have done.
You will have an impact. What kind of impact will it be?
How will you make use of this power you have to change the world?
There is no way to avoid it. The thoughts you think,
the words you speak, the actions you take will make a difference.
Your choice is whether or not that difference will be a positive one.
The choices you make and the actions you take will bring about results.
You have the very real opportunity today to make your world a better place. Who are you to change the world? Indeed, who are you not to?
If not you, then who?
This day is not a rehearsal. It is real.
What you choose to do with it will have lasting consequences
for you and for those around you. It is an awesome responsibility
and a tremendous opportunity. Give it the best that you have.

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