Spiritual Thoughts

  Friday Tale ~ Mary's Sacrifice A nd  the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.  (Luke 1:35-37 ESV)   Mary was a young woman ready to get married to Joseph. Her life was all planned out until she was greeted by an angel to inform her she would birth the Messiah her people had long-awaited. Mary wasn’t sure how it would happen, but she had to have known that this birth would change everything.   She was willing to sacrifice her plans, convenience, and even her reputation. Just imagine what others thought of her for becoming pregnant before she was married to Joseph. Even Joseph was going to call off their marriage until an angel came to him in a dream.   ...

  Friday Tale ~ Too Blessed to be Stressed I  refuse to be discouraged, to be sad or to cry. I refuse to be downhearted and here's the reason why: I have a God who is almighty: who is sovereign and supreme; I have a God who loves me, and I am on his team.   He is all wise and powerful; Yahweh is his name; Though everything is changeable, my God remains the same. I refuse to be defeated. My eyes are on God.   He has promised to be with me, as through this life I trod. I am looking past my circumstances, to heaven's throne above. My prayers have reached the heart of God. I am resting in his love.   I give thanks to him in everything. My eyes are on his face. The battle is His; the victory is mine; He will help me win the race. I repeat, "I'm too blessed to be stressed!" ~ Unknown BUT  thanks be to God! He gives us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

  Friday Tale - Memo from God   T o           YOU Date:     TODAY From:    GOD - The one in charge! Subject:         YOURSELF Reference:     LIFE This is God. Today I will be handling all of your problems for you. I do not need your help. So, have a nice day. I love you. GOD   P.S. And, remember.... If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it yourself !! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.   P.S.S.          Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.    ...

  Friday Tale - A New Car   P aul received a new automobile from his brother as a Christmas present.  On Christmas Eve, when Paul came out of his office, a street urchin was walking around the shiny new car, admiring it. "Is this your car, Mister?" he asked.           Paul nodded, "My brother gave it to me for Christmas."  The boy was astounded.  "You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't cost you nothing?  Boy, I wish..."  He hesitated.           And Paul knew what he was going to wish.  He was going to wish he had a brother like that.           But what the lad said jarred Paul all the way down to his heels.           "I wish," the boy went on, "that I could be a brother like that."      ...

Friday Tale - Christmas:             On December 25th, the birth of Jesus Christ will once again be celebrated around the world. The gospels mention no actual birthdate—or even season of the year—so the precise date remains a mystery. For many scholars, though, the presence of shepherds and sheep at the familiar manger scene suggest that he was born in the fall of the year, and not the winter.           The exact date is unknown, but by the 4th century, December 25th was the accepted date throughout Europe. Scholars believe early Christians chose the date to coincide with pagan festivals celebrating the winter solstice.           Throughout the Roman Empire, the solstice was called "the birthday of the unconquered Sun," and publi...

  Friday Tale - The World is Mine   Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden hair; She seemed so gay, I envied her and I wished I were so fair; When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle; She had one foot and wore a crutch, BUT as she passed, a smile.           Oh God, forgive me when I whine,           I have two feet—the world is mine.   I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me had such charm; He seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was so kind and warm; I said, “It’s nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find”; He turned and said, “Oh, thank you sir.” And then I saw that he was blind. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes, the world is mine. Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue; He stood and watched the others play, it seemed he knew not what to do; I stopped a moment, then I said, “Why don’t you join the others, dear?...

H appiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same. ~ Carlos Casteneda B lessed {=happy] is the people that know the joyful sound; they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance.  ~ Psalm 85:15

L ife is a song - sing it.   Life is a challenge - meet it.    Life is a dream - realize it     Life is a sacrifice - offer it.       Life is love - enjoy it.  ~Sai Baba B lessed is the one who finds wisdom,  and the one who gets understanding.   Wisdom is a tree of life to those who     lay hold of her; those who hold her       fast are called blessed. ~Proverbs 3:13, 18

S atisfaction is not always the fulfillment   of what you want, it is the realization of how     blessed you are for what you have.  -Unknown      B lessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual    blessing in the heavenly places. -Ephesians 1:3   

A Soldier's Prayer I asked God for strength, that I might achieve, I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health, that I might do greater things, I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. I asked for riches, that I might be happy, I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men, I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. I ask for all thinks, that I might enjoy life, I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for - but everything that I had hoped for, Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men most richly blessed. - An Unknown Confederate soldier Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  2 Timothy 2:3