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Table of ContentsLinda's LetterWho We Are Exciting Ministry News Names of God Bible Study Yahweh-M'Kaddesh |
Dad and His Dog Cracked Pot Paradise Opened Abba's Child Father's Day—My Father Surfing with Jesus—Coffee The Real Coach Quotations Father Was Right Father Was Ignorant The Greatest Gift Not Flesh and Blood How to Live For the Children Quick Jokes Father's Day Pages to Color Father's Day Humor Father's Day Family Circus Deep Thoughts Herd of Cows Fifty Years from Now New Haircut Better Living through Chemistry |
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Greetings, dear friends & family! William Wordsworth wrote: "Father! . . . to God himself we cannot give a holier name." Sunday, June 17th, is Father's Day. As my own dad was not the kind of man we'd all hope our fathers to be, for many years I forbade contact between us while I painstakingly nursed old wounds and stubbornly clung to unforgiveness. But as the love of Jesus Christ worked in my life, I learned to love my dad as Christ has loved me and we have renewed our broken relationship. If your dad is still living, then take time to tell him you love him, not just on Father's Day, but as often as you have opportunity. And if he is a godly man, then praise the Lord of Heaven for granting you the wonderful privilege of growing up in a God-honoring home. Regardless of what kind of father you have (or had), I want you to know that there's another Father who loves you more than your earthly father ever could and more than you can possibly imagine! In fact, He created you for the sole purpose of having a relationship with you. He wants to give you all the desires of your heart; He loves you with an everlasting love; and He will never leave you nor forsake you. And what's more.... when He was climbing that hill to the Cross, He had you on His mind. He saw you.... He already knew you.... He saw all the times you cried.... He saw all your victories.... He saw all the times you would try and fail.... He knew all the times you'd let Him down.... And yet, His love for you was so intense that He had to walk that Calvary road — because He didn't want you to have to walk it....! Our Heavenly Father says to all orphans — whether physical or emotional — that He will be a "father of the fatherless..." (Psalm 68:5) You are never alone! May this Father's Day find you gratefully honoring or renewing a broken relationship with your own earthly dad, and receiving the love of Christ which ever pursues you to adopt you into His family as Abba's child! but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, "Abba Father!" Romans 8:15  Be blessed in Jesus' name, and remember: Christianity isn't about going to church; it's about coming to Christ!
Your sister & servant in Christ,  My Redeemer Lives Christian Ministry Because of the volume of e-mail I receive, it is impossible for me to respond to every person who writes. If you have an opinion or question, please understand that I will not offer personal advice or debate theological issues. You are welcome to send your opinions, corrections and questions, but I can't guarantee I'll be able to respond. If you're looking for some good Bible study sources, I recommend: Bible.org — Trustworthy Bible Study Resources, Blue Letter Bible Study Resources, Christian Courses by RBC Ministries, Precept Ministries International, In Touch Ministries, Shepherd Serve, Today In the Word, Today's Turning Point, all of which offer hundreds of pages of well-organized teaching articles, Bible studies, and/or daily email devotionals. |
To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world. Back to top |
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 We Welcome a New Ministry Partner in Pakistan!We are pleased to announce the addition of a new partner ministry, Light of Hope Ministries and Church, in Panjab, Pakistan.  Pastor Naveed Kashif pastors a church of about 61 families; and partnering with other churches in Panjab, they also conduct a Sunday School ministry, Youth ministry, and Women's ministry. Additionally, staffed by three volunteer teachers, they provide primary elementary education to 89 children in a very poor village where there is no public school. [Shown at right are 21 of the students and their teachers.]Pastor Kashif asks that you pray for....  More than 75 Hindus and Muslims in India Accepted Christ!During four nights of open-air Gospel meetings in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, south India, Pastor Nireekshana Rao and his wife Swarupa Rani were thrilled to welcome approximately 100 new believers into the family of God! The first night, five people stepped forward to accept Christ as their Savior. The second night, a former Hindu priest gave his testimony to a curious audience of approximately 150 people, and at the invitation, approximately 50 people came forward. On the third night, a Banjara (Gypsy) tribal man gave his testimony after which about 20 people rushed to the front in tears! And on the fourth evening, approximately 25 people raised their hands to accept Christ as their Savior or to rededicate their lives to Him (photo). We are rejoicing and praising God for granting such a terrific response among these people. Please pray for the new believers as they learn about our Lord Jesus and walk out their new faith in an environment that often finds family members not only shunning the converts, but actually evicting them from their homes.  We Welcome a New Ministry Partner in Kenya!We are blessed to announce the addition of a new partner ministry in Kisumu, Kenya: Manna Ministries International — Kenya. Pastor Maurice Odhiambo pastors a church of more than 200 members and conducts a free Discipleship course that has enrolled more than 700 students to date. The ministry also provides food, clothing, medication, and early childhood education to the area's orphans and needy children; and they assist widows by providing some financial support and rebuilding their old, fallen homes. Pastor Maurice asks that you pray for his church members who are very poor in this world's goods but rich in Christ Jesus, and also that Yahweh-Jireh would bless them financially to continue to provide assistance to the orphans and widows in their area.  Bethel's VBS Camp Was a Great Success!Pastor Dass reports that the children who came to this year's camp left with a new heart and vision. Many of the children cried when they dedicated their lives to Jesus as the fire of revival spread through the camp! Pastor Dass plans to follow up with these young warriors by visiting their local churches and seeing that the churches conduct Sunday Schools regularly. He reminds us that "many of the Old Testament kings and prophets were chosen when they were only small kids." He says, "Children are our future! We must have a real burden for these children!" Thanks to all of you who prayed for the summer camp! Please pray for the huge debt that remains following the camp, and please give as the Lord leads. Back to top |
Yahweh-M'Kaddesh "Let them praise the name of the LORD: for His Name alone is excellent; His glory [is] above the earth and heaven." Psalm 148:13 (KJV) Editor's Note: As there is considerable variance among Bible scholars as to former customs, usage, and translations of the numerous names of God in the Bible, the neutrality and factual accuracy of this article may be disputed. These studies are a summation of those ideas and conclusions on which most scholars agree. I was planning to conclude our study of the Yahweh compound names this month with the names Yahweh-M'Kaddesh, Yahweh-Tzva'ot, and Yahweh-Tsid'Ke-nu. However, I have determined that the name Yahweh-M'Kaddesh embodies so much about our great and awesome God that it merits a more in-depth examination. In fact, it may be argued that no other name more accurately expresses the character of God and the requirements He places on His people than the name "Yahweh-M'Kaddesh". Yahweh-M'Kaddesh (Mekeddeshem, Mekadesh, Mekoddishkem) — Yahweh Who Sanctifies You / Yahweh Who Makes Holy Pronounced Yä-wá' (or Yä-vá') M-qa'dash, the compound name itself appears only twice in the Old Testament:
The word "m'kaddesh" alone first appears in Genesis 2:3 when God sanctified the Sabbath: "God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy..." The word isn't mentioned again until Exodus 13:1,2: "Sanctify to Me all of the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of animal. It is Mine." Yahweh our God is holy! Before we examine the Bible's use of the single word "m'kaddesh", let's consider the awe-inspiring holiness of Yahweh. For as Himself the Holy One, Yahweh is separate from and exalted above all else in the universe:
It is this holiness of which God is so jealous: "for you shall worship no other god: for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous [El Kanno], is a jealous God." (Exodus 34:14) His holiness is so pure, so intense, that He cannot abide the worship of another god among His people: "You shall have no other gods before Me." (Exodus 20:3) God's people are to sanctify Him, not only in their actions, but in their hearts: "Yahweh of hosts, Him shall you sanctify; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread." (Isaiah 8:13); and we are to "worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." (1 Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 29:2) It is the glory and beauty of His holiness that Yahweh wishes to impart.... ....when He tells us, "You shall be holy; for I Yahweh your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2) or "I am Yahweh who sanctifies you" (Exodus 31:13, Leviticus 20:8). As people inevitably become like the god(s) they serve, it follows then that the Holy God would require holiness in His people. As Nathan Stone wrote: "A God separate from all that is evil, too pure to behold evil, the very antithesis of all evil, requires that the people He chooses be also separate from all evil and separated to the purpose for which He chose them." In its different translations, the word "m'kaddesh" appears ±685 times in the Old Testament. Whatever seeming differences the various English words may suggest (above), the primary idea of separating or setting apart is common to them all. It is used to...
In all these cases, the use of the word "m'kaddesh" refers to contact with the Holy God. The Sabbath day was holy because God rested in it; the mountain of the Lord and the sanctuary were holy because God dwelt there; the people of God were to be holy because God would dwell among them and they would represent Him to the rest of the world. Thus, the term "sanctified" or "set apart" means more than just position or relationship in regard to Yahweh. It means participation in the divine nature of Yahweh: His holiness, justice, omniscience, goodness, righteousness, majesty, fullness, and perfection. But how wonderfully exciting that this holy God doesn't leave us struggling in our own strength, trying to achieve a state of holiness that's impossible to attain. No! He is "Yahweh-M'Kaddesh", "The God Who Makes Holy". What we cannot do on our own, He is willing to do in us if we let Him. Praise His most glorious name!  Click here for a print-friendly copy of this Bible study. The names God has used to reveal Himself to humankind represent His power, actions, and reputation. The Almighty cannot be conjured or treated as an object, as He is the Master of the universe and is neither subject to nor dependent on anyone. The Bible strictly forewarns us not to invoke the name of God for selfish or manipulative purposes. The materials provided here are for educational purposes only and are not intended to offer some sort of mystical insight into the Divine nature of Almighty God. Sources for this study include: Judaism 101 Lambert Dolphin's Library Precept Ministries "The Names of God" by Nathan Stone To view all of the "Names of God" studies to date, go to www.myredeemerlives.com/biblestudies/namesofgodstudy.html. Back to top |
Dad and His Dog "Watch out! You nearly broad-sided that car!" My father yelled at me. "Can't you do anything right?" Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle. "I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving." My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt. Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home, I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about him? Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon. He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his prowess. The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man. Four days after his 67th birthday, he had a heart attack. An ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived. But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctors orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether. Dad was left alone. My husband, Rick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust. Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Rick. We began to bicker and argue. Alarmed, Rick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But the months wore on and God was silent. A raindrop struck my cheek. I looked up into the gray sky. Somewhere up there was God. Although I believed a Supreme Being had created the universe, I had difficulty believing that God cared about the tiny human beings on this earth. I was tired of waiting for a God who did not answer. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it. The next day, I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem in vain to each of the sympathetic voices that answered. Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, "I just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article." I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given responsibility for a dog. I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs -- all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied each one, but rejected one after the other for various reasons: too big, too small, too much hair. As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down. It was a pointer, one of the dog-world's aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed. Years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray. His hipbones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly. I pointed to the dog. "Can you tell me about him?" The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement. "He's a funny one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate. We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him. That was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow," he gestured helplessly. As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror, "You mean you're going to kill him?" "Ma'am," he said gently, "that's our policy. We don't have room for every unclaimed dog." I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision. "I'll take him," I said. I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached the house, I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch. "Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!" I said excitedly. Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. "If I had wanted a dog I would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it." Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house. Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples. "You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's staying!" Dad ignored me. "Did you hear me, Dad?" I screamed. At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed and blazing with hate. We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly, carefully, he raised his paw. Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw. Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal. It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the pointer Cheyenne. Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet. Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years. Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne's cold nose burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night. I woke Rick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene; but his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night. Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As Rick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind. The morning of Dad's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life. And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers..." For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article; Cheyenne's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter; his calm acceptance and complete devotion to my father; and the proximity of their deaths. And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all. Received from AllWorship.com Back to top |
An elderly Chinese woman had two large water pots, each of which hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it and always arrived home only half-full; while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one-and-a-half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream, "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house." The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other side? "That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. "Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house." Each of us has our own unique flaw, but it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. We just have to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them. So, to all of my 'crackpot' friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path! Back to top |
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Quick Jokes Why did the foal cough? Because he was a little horse! What is the opposite of cock-a doodle-doo? Cock-a-doodle-don't! What's the best way to keep milk from turning sour? Leave it inside the cow! Where do milkshakes come from? Excited cows! What's the hardest part of milking a mouse? Getting it to fit over a bucket! Hickory dickory dock. The mouse ran up the clock The clock struck one But the rest got away with minor injuries What do you call a mouse that can pick up an elephant? Sir! Why did the whale cross the road? To get to the other tide! What did the slug say to the other who had hit him and run off? I'll get you next slime! What was the snail doing on the highway? About one mile a day! What is the definition of a slug? A snail with a housing problem! Back to top |
he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong." Charles Wadsworth Back to top |
Once there was a man whose life was one of misery. The days were cloudy, and the nights were long. Henry didn't want to be unhappy, but he was. With the passing of the years, his life had changed. His children were grown. The neighborhood was different. The city seemed harsher. He was unhappy. He decided to ask his minister what was wrong. "Am I unhappy for some sin I have committed?" "Yes," the wise pastor replied. "You have sinned." "And what might that sin be?" "Ignorance," came the reply. "The sin of ignorance. One of your neighbors is the Messiah in disguise, and you have not seen him." The old man left the office stunned. "The Messiah is one of my neighbors?" He began to think who it might be. Tom the butcher? No, he's too lazy. Mary, my cousin down the street? No, too much pride. Aaron the paperboy? No, too indulgent. The man was confounded. Every person he knew had defects. But one was the Messiah. He began to look for Him. He began to notice things he hadn't seen. The grocer often carried sacks to the cars of older ladies. Maybe he is the Messiah. The officer at the corner always had a smile for the kids. Could it be? And the young couple who'd moved next door. How kind they are to their cat. Maybe one of them... With time he saw things in people he'd never seen. And with time his outlook began to change. The bounce returned to his step. His eyes took on a friendly sparkle. When others spoke, he listened. After all, he might be listening to the Messiah. When anyone asked for help, he responded; after all, this might be the Messiah needing assistance. The change of attitude was so significant that someone asked him why he was so happy. "I don't know," he answered. "All I know is that things changed when I started looking for God." Now, that's curious. The old man saw Jesus because he didn't know what he looked like. The people in Jesus' day missed Him because they thought they did! How are things looking in your neighborhood? Contributed by Vicki Thomas Back to top |
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I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." Mark Twain Back to top |
Secrets, Mysteries, and Rarities of Divine Love, of Infinite Wisdom, and of Wonderful Counsel "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son..." John 3:16 (KJV) Oh! what kind of love is this, for God to give . . . His Son — not His servant; His begotten Son — not His adopted Son; His only Son — and not one son of many. We see here . . . the firstness of the Father's love, and the freeness of the Father's love, and the vehemency of the Father's love, and the admirableness of the Father's love, and the matchlessness of the Father's love! Says God the Father to His Son, "Here is man — fallen from his primitive purity, glory, and excellency — into a most woeful gulf of sin and misery! He who was once a son — has now become a slave; he who was once Our friend — has now become Our enemy; he who was once near Us — is now afar off; he who was once in Our favor — is now cast off; he who was once made in Our image — has now the image of Satan stamped upon him; he who had once sweet communion with Us — has now fellowship with the devil and his demons! "Out of this forlorn estate, he can never deliver himself! Neither can all the angels in heaven deliver him! Now this being man's woeful case and state, I make this offer to You, O my Son: If, in the fullness of time, You will assume the nature of man, tread the winepress of My wrath alone, bear the curse, shed your blood, die, suffer, satisfy My justice, fulfill My royal law — then I can, upon the most honorable terms imaginable, save fallen man, and put him into a safer and happier condition than he ever was — and give You a noble reward for all Your sufferings." Upon this Jesus Christ replies: "O my Father! I am very ready and willing to do, to suffer, to die — to satisfy Your justice, to comply with You in all Your noble and gracious inclinations — that poor sinners may be sanctified and saved, made gracious and glorious, holy and happy; that poor sinners may never perish, that poor sinners may be secured from wrath to come, and be brought into a state of light, life and love! I am willing to make Myself an offering for their sin. Lo, I am come to do Your will, O God." Received from Grace Gems (choice electronic books, sermons, and quotes) Back to top |
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Came from God; I call him Dad!" Author Unknown Back to top |
I am here within this place A sinner who's been saved by grace And someday I will see His face, Because I am Abba's child. My tears were flowing like a flood I came to Him crawling through the mud He washed my sins with His own blood And made me Abba's child. I now am found, though I was lost I follow Jesus, and bear the cross I'll be His slave; He'll be the boss, He made me Abba's child. I don't know just what you see When you take a look at me I'm not everything I should be But I am Abba's child. I may be bald and I may be fat. That's okay, I don't care about that. I'll suck it in and wear a hat and say, "I'm Abba's child!" Whatever you've done, wherever you are Even though sin has left a scar You really are not very far From being Abba's child. And when I'm gone — I mean, when I die, I'll meet you all up in the sky, Where we'll be with Him and never cry, We are all Abba's child. Submitted by Ruth Wagner (Pastor Linda's Mother) Back to top |
 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field." Matthew 13:44 |
Father's Day Humor "Fathers are the geniuses of the house because only a person as intelligent as we could fake such stupidity. Think about your father: He doesn't know where anything is. You ask him to do something, he messes it up and your mother sends you: "Go down and see what your father's doing before he blows up the house." He's a genius at work because he doesn't want to do it, and he knows someone will be coming soon to stop him." Bill Cosby ><((((:>....><((((:>....<:))))><....<:))))>< A company held a contest for kids with the theme: "The nicest thing My Father Ever Did For Me." One kid answered "He married my mother." ><((((:>....><((((:>....<:))))><....<:))))>< In the frozen foods department of our local grocery store, I noticed a man shopping with his son. As I walked by, he checked something off his list, and I heard him whisper conspiratorially to the child, "You know, if we really mess this up, we'll never have to do it again." ><((((:>....><((((:>....<:))))><....<:))))>< One day my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his sweatshirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to me, "What setting do I use on the washing machine?" "It depends," I replied. "What does it say on your shirt?" He yelled back, "University of Auburn." ><((((:>....><((((:>....<:))))><....<:))))>< Never raise your hand to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. Red Buttons Back to top |
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My Father When I was... Four years old: My daddy can do anything. Five years old: My daddy knows a whole lot. Six years old: My dad is smarter than your dad. Eight years old: My dad doesn't know exactly everything. Ten years old: In the olden days, when my dad grew up, things were sure different. Twelve years old: Oh, well, naturally, Dad doesn't know anything about that. He's too old to remember his childhood. Fourteen years old: Don't pay any attention to my dad. He is so old-fashioned. Twenty-one years old: Him? My Lord, he's hopelessly out-of-date. Twenty-five years old: Dad might know about it; but then he should, because he's been around so long. Thirty years old: Maybe we should ask Dad what he thinks. After all, he's had a lot of experience. Thirty-five years old: I'm not doing a single thing until I talk to Dad. Forty years old: I wonder how Dad would have handled it. He was so wise. Fifty years old: I'd give anything if Dad were here now so I could talk this over with him. Too bad I didn't appreciate how smart he was. I could have learned a lot from him. Author Unknown Back to top |
 Dog hare piece |
Coffee A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and in life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain-looking, some expensive, some exquisite — telling them to help themselves to the coffee, and cream and sugar. When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice-looking, expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, THAT is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases, it is just more expensive, and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups . . . And then, you began eyeing each other's cups. "Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change, the quality of Life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us." "God brews the coffee, not the cups . . . Enjoy your coffee! The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything they have." Back to top |
When I was growing up...well, when I was a boy (no need making assumptions here)...I played a lot of baseball. All day long. At parks, playgrounds, in the street, it didn't matter where. I just loved it. But one year I didn't have a lot of fun. It was my team. We always came in third. Other teams would change positions, get better or worse, but not us. We were always the same, and I was miserable. We didn't have a cool name like the Yankees. They had great-looking uniforms, new equipment, and strutted around like they knew they were good. We, on the other hand, were the...are you ready for this?...Pilots. Yep. Strikes fear in your heart, doesn't it? "Now coming to bat...the Airplane Drivers." It's just not the same. There's no major league team called the Pilots. We happened to live close to the airport, but could we be the Awesome Fighting Jets? Noooooo. We were the Pathetic Pilots. Our coach was interesting, too. He didn't seem to care that much about winning. Instead, he made sure every player got in the game, regardless of how bad they were. Sure he took us out for hotdogs and hamburgers, had parties at his house, patted us on the back, and showed us how to improve...but he wasn't like the Yankees coach. That guy was a real coach, barking orders and doing what it took to win. He even wore a uniform like his team, not like the Army fatigues our guy showed up in half the time. One year we ended the season playing the Yankees. They had not lost a single game. We, of course, were heading for third place. To make matters worse, I was called on to pitch. Now I was pretty good, but hey, these were the Yankees. I only remember a few things about that game. There was one batter who hit a home run every time he came up. Every time. I felt humiliated. Another actually yelled how bad my pitching was while he was batting. Turned out not to be a wise move. The next pitch hit him square in the side. I honestly didn't mean to do that, but somehow there seemed to be justice in it. But the most important thing I remember happened after the game. You see, against all odds and everything that made sense, we actually won. I still don't know how exactly, but even with their slugger, we ended with more runs...and I had pitched the entire game. The Pilots beat the Yankees! As our team was jumping around like idiots, I saw the Yankees coach take his team to a nearby oak tree and sit them down. Then he began screaming at them for having lost to such a sorry team as the Pilots. They would still be in first. They would still win the championship. But he was tearing them up. Then I looked at our Army sergeant. He was patting guys on the back, hollering with his team, and doing what he always did...building us up and having fun. It was then I realized something. The guy I had thought was the real coach wasn't a coach at all. The real coach was someone who had been with me the whole season. He was there to lift me up when I was down, and he would have, if I had given him a chance. But I hadn't recognized him as the real coach. And now, it was like seeing him for the first time. Reminds me of my relationship with God. There have been times when I sought a God who assured me that all my wishes and dreams would come true, one who would get me out of every bad situation, who wouldn't let anyone be sick or die, who would bring me happiness. I looked for a God who could give me heaven on earth, with no sorrows, no pain...right now. But the God of the Bible? Sure He came to earth, suffered and died for all the wrongs I've committed, and has prepared a special place so that after my earthly death I can be with Him forever...but none of that seemed to mean as much. I was looking for the wrong person. I was so focused on my desires that I didn't recognize the real God. What I wanted was a Supplier to use; what He gave me was a Savior to serve. Do you know God? Is Jesus real to you? How do you describe Him? Does it match what's in the Bible? Or do you cling to an image that seems better? Perhaps we too often find Jesus asking us as He did Philip, "Don't you know me, even after I have been among you such a long time?" (John 14:9) Take care and be God's... "A Note of Encouragement", Copyright © 2007 Ciloa, Inc. Back to top |
"It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons." Johann Schiller |
Does a clean house indicate that there is a broken computer in it? Why is it that no matter what color of bubble bath you use, the bubbles are always white? Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with the hopes that something new to eat will have materialized? Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give their vacuum one more chance? How do those dead bugs get into closed light fixtures? Why do we wash BATH towels? Aren't we clean when we use them? If not, then what was the purpose of the bath? Considering all the lint you get in your dryer, if you kept drying your clothes, would they eventually just disappear? Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over? Is it true that the only difference between a yard sale and a trash pickup is how close to the road the stuff is placed? Back to top |
 FREE Worship Music Online! 3 Formats, All Commercial-Free! Back to top |
A young man visiting a dude ranch wanted to be "Macho" and went out walking with one of the hired hands. Walking through the barnyard, the visitor tried starting a conversation: "Say, look at that big bunch of cows." The hired hand replied, "Not 'bunch', but 'herd'." "Heard what?" "Herd of cows." "Sure, I've heard of cows. There's a big bunch of 'em right over there." |
 Each kit contains a camouflage New Testament, a 90-day devotional, and a "Would You Like to Know God Personally?" booklet — all packaged in a waterproof plastic bag small enough to fit into a soldier's pocket. Back to top |
Three elderly gentlemen were talking about what their grandchildren would be saying about them fifty years from now. "I would like my grandchildren to say, 'He was successful in business'," declared the first man. "Fifty years from now," said the second, "I want them to say, 'He was a loyal family man'." Turning to the third gent, the first man asked, "So what do you want them to say about you in fifty years?" "Me?" the third man replied. "I want them all to say, "He certainly looks good for his age'!" |
For the Children Father's Day Pages to Color Click on an image to open a page for printing it full-size.  ...... ...... ...... ...... Provided by All About Coloring Back to top |
 Book Airfare . . . Reserve a Hotel . . . Rent a Car Tell them you want to support My Redeemer Lives Christian Ministry! Christian ministries and churches receive special discounts, too! Back to top |
Women's version: Woman2: "Oh! You got a haircut! That's so cute!" Woman1: "Do you think so? I wasn't sure when she gave me the mirror. I mean, you don't think it's too fluffy looking?" Woman2: "Oh goodness, no! No, it's perfect. I'd love to get my hair cut like that, but I think my face is too wide. I'm pretty much stuck with this stuff I think." Woman1: "Are you serious? I think your face is adorable. And you could easily get one of those layer cuts — that would look so cute I think. I was actually going to do that, except that I was afraid it would accent my long neck." Woman2: "Oh — that's funny! I would love to have your neck! Anything to take attention away from this two-by-four I have for a shoulder line." Woman1: "Are you kidding? I know girls who would love to have your shoulders. Everything drapes so well on you. I mean, look at my arms — see how short they are? If I had your shoulders I could get clothes to fit me so much easier." Men's version: Man2: "Haircut?" Man1: "Yeah." |
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"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. " Clarence Budington Kelland Back to top |
C = carbon Ho = holmium Co = cobalt La = lanthanum Te = tellurium CHoCoLaTe — Better living through chemistry! |
National Association of Evangelicals United Christian Ministries International Scripture taken from: King James Version (KJV), Copyright © 1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. New King James Version (NKJV), Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. New International Version (NIV), Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society World English Bible (WEB), 2001 MT-based public domain update of 1901 American Standard Version (ASV) Copyright © 2007. My Redeemer Lives Christian Ministry™. All rights reserved. |
