In step

[RiverOL]

The Other Woman
========================​

After 21 years of marriage, I discovered a new way of keeping
alive the spark of love.

A little while ago, I went out with another woman.

It was really my wife's idea.

"I know you'll love her," she said one day, taking me by
surprise.

"But I love YOU too," I protested.
"I know, but you also love her."

The other woman who my wife wanted me to visit was my mother who
had been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my
three children had made it possible to visit her only
occasionally.

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a
movie. "What's wrong, are you well," she asked?

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night
call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

"I thought that it would be pleasant to pass some time with
you."

I responded, "Just the two of us." She thought about it for a
moment and then said, "I would like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up, I was a
bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she,
too, seemed to be nervous about our date.

She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her
hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate
her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was
as radiant as an angel's.

"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and
they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car.

"They can't wait to hear about our meeting."

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very
nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First
Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes
could only read large print.

Halfway through the entree, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting
there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips.
"It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were
small," she said.

"Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,"
I responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation, nothing
extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's
life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we
arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you
again, but only if you let me invite you."

I agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home.

"Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,"
I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack.

It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do
anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with
a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I
had dined. An attached note said:

"I paid this bill in advance. I was almost sure that I couldn't
be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates; one for you
and the other for your wife.

You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you."

At that moment I understood the importance of saying, in time:
"I LOVE YOU" and to give our loved ones the time that they
deserve.

Nothing in life is more important than God and your family.

Give them the time they deserve because these things cannot be
put off until "some other time."

 

[RiverOL]

Paper Route
=================​

Forty-three years seems like a long time to remember the name of
a mere acquaintance. I have duly forgotten the name of an old
lady who was a customer on my paper route when I was a twelve-
year-old boy in Marinette, Wisconsin back in 1954. Yet it seems
like just yesterday that she taught me a lesson in forgiveness
that I can only hope to pass on to someone else someday.

On a mindless Saturday afternoon, a friend and I were throwing
rocks onto the roof of the old lady's house from a secluded spot
in her backyard. The object of our play was to observe how the
rocks changed to missiles as they rolled to the roofs edge and
shot out into the yard like comets falling from the sky.

I found myself a perfectly smooth rock and sent it for a ride.
The stone was too smooth, however, so it slipped from my hand as
I let it go and headed straight for a small window on the old
lady's back porch. At the sound of fractured glass, we took off
from the old lady's yard faster than any of our missiles flew
off her roof. I was too scared about getting caught that first
night to be concerned about the old lady with the broken porch
window.

However, a few days later, when I was sure that I hadn't been
discovered, I started to feel guilty for her misfortune.
She still greeted me with a smile each day when I gave her the
paper, but I was no longer able to act comfortable in her
presence. I made up my mind that I would save my paper delivery
money, and in three weeks I had the seven dollars that I
calculated would cover the cost of her window.

I put the money in an envelope with a note explaining that I was
sorry for breaking her window and hoped that the seven dollars
would cover the cost for repairing it. I waited until it was
dark, snuck up to the old lady's house, and put the envelope of
retribution through the letter slot in her door. My soul felt
redeemed and I couldn't wait for the freedom of, once again,
looking straight into the old lady's eyes.

The next day, I handed the old lady her paper and was able to
return the warm smile that I was receiving from her. She
thanked me for the paper and said, "Here, I have something for
you."

It was a bag of cookies.

I thanked her and proceeded to eat the cookies as I continued my
route.

After several cookies, I felt an envelope and pulled it out of
the bag. When I opened the envelope, I was stunned.

Inside were the seven dollars and a short note that said,

"I'm proud of you."

 

[RiverOL]

Blind Leading...
=====================​

If a blind man leads a blind man,
they will both fall into a pit.
~Jesus of Nazareth~

Be careful who you follow.

 

[RiverOL]

True Light
==============​

My mind is incapable of conceiving such a thing as a soul.
I may be in error, and man may have a soul;
but I simply do not believe it.
~Thomas A. Edison (1847-1931)~

Edison was considered one of the greatest inventors who ever
lived. He is credited with the invention of the light bulb.

Yet, Edison did not believe that man had a soul.

He was wrong about AC current also as all of us are wrong about
some things.

True light does not come from a bulb.

 

[RiverOL]

Bloom Where You're Planted!
=======================================​

In an effort to be cordial, I asked a certain young man how he
was doing one day. Instead of hearing the common curt response
of "Fine," he said, "I feel like I have dug myself in a hole."

My response to him was, "The only place you start out on top is
when you are digging a hole!" Immediately he retorted,
"I didn't think I was digging a hole; I thought I was laying a
foundation!"

Well, the truth of the matter is that everything is a matter of
perception. Your outlook determines your outcome!

It's better to be in a hole than in a rut.

A rut is simply a grave with both ends kicked out! The hole
that this young man dug for himself was his foundation.

This is a process of life.

You lose before you gain.

You give before you get.

You follow before you lead.

You establish a solid foundation before you build.

Before a farmer sows his fields, he first digs holes.

Every beautiful flower starts out as a seed in a hole.

Every fruit-bearing tree gets its start in a hole.

Most of us are in a hole of debt before we can graduate from
college, but we don't have to stay there!

While digging a hole is dirty work and frustrating at times,
it is necessary. Thomas Edison aptly stated, "Restlessness and
discontent are the first necessities of progress."

So although being in a hole is confining and irritating,
just hang on and learn to bloom where you are planted!

A pearl is formed in an oyster because of an irritant that
enters. That irritant causes a secretion to be released, which
actually forms the pearl. So, while you are irritated, realize
that a valuable pearl is being formed deep within you.

Just keep your mouth closed, and bloom where you are planted!

 

[RiverOL]

The Billionaire’s Daughter​

I have to act like a billionaire’s daughter. Amy told herself once again.
Trying to act like a billionaire’s daughter was exhausting for Amy. After all, she lived on the streets and was hopelessly in debt. Amy ended every day in frustration, feeling like such a failure. Try as hard as she might, she just couldn’t act the part. How was she ever supposed to afford fancy clothes?
You might wonder why Amy was so bent on acting like a billionaire’s daughter. The desire stemmed from a notion she had that if she could just act the part, she’d somehow earn the billionaire’s favor. She wanted him to accept her as his daughter.

Now, Amy knew that the billionaire had announced long ago that he would pay off any debt people owed and adopt children into his household. Which was great news for Amy. She’d accepted the invite, but then really failed to comprehend what that meant. If she had, she wouldn’t be living in constant frustration on the streets.
“Amy, don’t you understand?” Sarah tried to help her friend comprehend the situation. “You’ve already been adopted by the billionaire. You don’t have to earn his favor. Yes, you should act like a billionaire’s daughter, but only because you are one! The only way you can act like it is through the riches he’s given you. You don’t have to try to piece together your own clothes–he already has beautiful ones in his mansion for you to put on. Just run to him. Rest in his love. Let the love and the position he’s given you sink in.”

It took Amy a long time to understand. But slowly, she realized that she was welcomed in the mansion simply because her father had adopted her. She didn’t have to impress him–her father wanted her just as she was. Yet he had also bestowed on her his vast resources so she could live out like his daughter instead of like a beggar. And you know what? The more time Amy spent with her father instead of trying to please him on her own the more she found herself imitating him and acting as he’d intended. Joy gradually replaced the frustration–when Amy spent time with her father and remembered who she really was and all she’d been given.

---

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV)
We’re called to walk as Christ walked–but from the position of beloved children imitating Him, not to earn God’s favor. The first part of Ephesians reiterates how hopeless we are and always will be apart from God but what an incredible gift God has given us in salvation (Ephesians 2:8). It’s in light of that gift–and through His power and Spirit in us–that we can imitate Him.

“…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16b-19 (ESV)

 

[RiverOL]

A Mature Birthday Celebration
========================================​

On this day I celebrate another birthday as I sit here
rhapsodizing and soliloquizing of the incredible grace and
blessings of God on my life!

My real wealth is in my salvation, my relationships, my joy,
my peace and the love in my heart! The older I become, the more
I appreciate the little things in life that others often take
for granted.

It is not about where I am or what I have but who I am with that
matters most. In earlier years I rejoiced over things, but now
I am fulfilled by pursuing my purpose, leaving a legacy and
reaching my destiny.

In essence, the longer I live the more I realize that it is not
about me but ALL about HIM and serving others!

I'm honored to be His servant...
still cheerfully serving!

 

[RiverOL]

Gratitude
=============​

Years ago I was in a devastating accident.

I am still in recovery daily.

The thing that has pulled me through it all has been having an
Attitude of Gratitude.

When I read the issue "Why Me," I wanted to share with you what
I have learned to do for myself each and every day.

To keep an Attitude of Gratitude at all times,
I have learned to have a "Gratitude Prayer" once a day.

I have this prayer just before laying down for the night.

I do nothing in it but pray my thankfulness for things that I am
grateful for on that particular day.

When I first started this practice, my prayers were very short.

As the years have passed, they have become a time of peace each
day that I look forward to as I share with my Father in Heaven
all the bounty He has given me that day.

I acknowledge His hand in the giving of that bounty.

My world is beautiful because of constant gratitude.

I have made it such a part of my life, that at times during the
day when something happens, I raise my eyes to Heaven and say
"Thank you, God."

My change in taking charge of my life in this manner has indeed
been a gift, for I have a constant smile, inside and out,
by merely looking at the world differently.

 

[RiverOL]

The Other Side of The River
=====================================​

The recent issue "Perspective" is below.

A man went out for a walk.

He came to a river and saw a woman on the opposite bank.

"Yoo-hoo," he shouted, "how can I get to the other side?"

The woman looked up the river then down the river then shouted
back,

"You're already on the other side."

Life and truth is often a matter of perspective and viewpoint.


I thought about that issue for a good part of the day.
It was short and somewhat funny but extremely profound.

Do you realize how many people are trying to get to the very
side that you are already on while you are trying to get
somewhere else?

Do you know how many people wish they had a good husband or
wife like you do?

Do you realize how many couples wish they could have children
like you do?

Do you know how many suffering people wish they had a pain free
body like you do?

Do you know how many people wish they just had enough money to
pay their basic bills like you do?

Do you realize how many people wish they could get to the weight
that you are already at?

Do you realize how many people wish they had a job like you do?

Do you realize how many people wish they could see like you can?

...could hear like you can?

...could walk like you can?

I, like most of you reading this, wish for many things.
I have a lot of dreams and visions.

"Perspective" really made me think and realize
that with so many of the rivers of life,

I'm already on the "other" side.

So are you.

 

[RiverOL]

Recognition and Honor is Coming
=============================================​

You will be recognized and honored as a community leader.

Yes you will, as lead the community.

You don't have to be elected mayor. All you need to do is set
an example of how a person should live.

No one is perfect but many are examples.

Sooner or later, whether formally or informally, you will be
recognized as a community leader.

Just lead and don't worry about the recognition.

It will come.

 

[RiverOL]

What Do You Value Most?
==================================​

A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy
next door.

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man.

College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way.
In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his
dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little
time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his
wife and son.

He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last
night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through
his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his
childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I
thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years
ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him, he'd ask how
you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent
over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in
to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be
in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time
teaching me things he thought were important.
Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next
flight to his hometown.

Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no
children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his mom stopped
by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like
crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and
time.

The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held
memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture...

Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his mom asked.

"The box is gone," he said.

"What box?" Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his
desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside.
All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack
remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the
Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said.
"I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning
home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox.

"Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop
by the main post office within the next three days," the note
read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package.

The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a
hundred years ago.

The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address
caught his attention.

"Mr. Harold Belser" it read.

Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package.
There inside was the gold box and an envelope.

Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack
Bennett.

It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped
to the letter.

His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully
unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket
watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing,
he unlatched the cover.

Inside he found these words engraved:
"Jack, Thanks for your time! Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most...was...my time."

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office
and cleared his appointments for the next two days.

"Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.

"Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for your time!"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take
but by the moments that take our breath away."

 

[RiverOL]

The Mystery of The Watermelon
==========================================
I will explain God,
as soon as you explain this.​

 

[RiverOL]

​ "Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore." Psalm 105:4​ ​

Story: Refusing Treatment​ “But you’re not okay; you need to get treatment before it’s too late,” Andrew felt tears forming in his eyes. It pained him so to see people ignore their sickness! “No!” Luke Howard practically screamed his answer. “I’m not sick. I don’t need help.” “Wait--please! Let me show you your test results. You can see that something’s wrong…” But Luke had already stormed away. He didn’t want to hear that he wasn’t okay.​

If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, Andrew would have never believed the situation. The entire town was infected with a fatal disease. There was a cure--but, strangely, only a very few were willing to take it. Part of the disease itself blinded those infected with it to their need for help. Some people let the disease run rampage in their lives. Boils grew untreated on their skins. Their fevers ran unchecked. But they didn’t care. There was always someone worse off they could point to and claim, “I’m better than him!” Their lives were just too filled with their own pursuits to worry about treatment. Others tried hard to cover their symptoms so no one else would notice (and so they could convince themselves they’d be okay). They hid their boils under fancy clothes and makeup. They took fever reducers to reduce the fever. They convinced themselves and others they were healthy. Yet underneath their guise, they were just as sick as the sickest. It didn’t matter how well the disease was hidden--it was killing them none-the-less. Still others admitted their sickness and attempted to save themselves from the disease. They exercised, ate special diets, and tried other proposed cures, but to no avail. All their efforts did nothing to arrest the disease's progress. The only way to be saved from this particular disease was to take the cure offered by the Doctor. You would think people would be standing in line, eager to receive it. But they weren’t, because, in one way or another, they didn’t believe they really needed it.​

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:17​

Thought: Running to Jesus​ The best place in the world is to be at the point where we realize once again our helplessness and run to Jesus. May these words of the hymn writer be true for us today: Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die.​

 

[RiverOL]

Hats Off To You
======================​

I was sitting in church today and happened to notice a young
man with his hat on. I was taught that it was very
disrespectful for a man to have his hat on in a church or when
eating, etc. so this was bothering me very much. I sat there
thinking how I could go about letting him know that wearing his
hat was disrespectful when all of a sudden I had a MountainWings
Moment.

It hit me that it wasn't right for me to judge another person,
in any way. I was in the Lord's house and if He thought it
was disrespectful, He would let the young man know himself.
I also realized that if I said something to him, the young man
may feel that he was unwelcome in our church. I could not be
the type of person who was so rigid and uptight that I would
actually chase someone away from hearing God's word.

I enjoyed the rest of the service so much better after asking
God's forgiveness about being so petty.

 

[RiverOL]

Heart of Gold
===================​

My husband is a wonderful man
with a heart of gold. He has such a compassionate heart for the
less fortunate, disabled and elderly. He's the type of man who
becomes a magnet to those who get to know him. Everyone loves
talking, spending time with and being around him.

He is a tall, strong and handsome man who is very smart and
incredibly talented. Little would anyone know that he is so
very self-conscious about his hair - or lack thereof. My
husband is 'that man' who wears his hat to church.

He once had a gorgeous head of hair. He would spend more time
in front of the mirror fixing it every morning than I would
spend on mine. He had a head full of thick golden locks that
began falling away in his mid-twenties. He is now in his mid-
thirties, shaves away the hair that does grow around the back
and sides of his head, and wears a hat every single day of his
life.

He won't even leave our house without a hat on his head and is
just recently starting to go without a hat every now and then
while inside our home. I've tried many, many times to convince
him of his natural handsomeness and to just try to go without a
hat; to no avail.

He actually has a beautifully shaped bald head that I
truly adore and personally think is quite handsome. However, the rude
and ridiculing remarks and 'jokes' by past so-called friends
have hurt him deeply and made him even more self-conscious and
very insecure about his baldness. Not to mention the recent
comment made by an Associate Pastor during one of our many
visits to a church we were considering becoming members of.

While the comment was very vague, his intentions were clear -
he was very bothered by it. Needless to say, even though we had
previously spent several evenings helping to build this church,
we haven't been back since. That could have been our church home,
where we could have made a difference.

So, I ask each of you to please consider 'that man' in church
who wears a hat. Wearing a hat doesn't make them any less of a
person, or disrespectful, or ungodly. God doesn't look at what
we wear; He looks into our hearts. When He looks into my
husband's heart, He doesn't see a hat...but, what does He see
when He looks into yours?

I want to personally thank you Sally, on behalf of the man
wearing the hat.

Thank you for searching your own heart before breaking
another's.​

 

[RiverOL]

The Carpenter
====================​

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell
into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of
farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and
goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small
misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and
finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by
weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to
find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few
days work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs
here and there. Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you.
Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in
fact, it's my younger brother.

Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his
bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between
us.

Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one
better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn?

I want you to build me a fence - an 8-foot fence - so I won't
need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation.
Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to
do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped
the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for
the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing,
nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter
had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.

There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge.

A bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other!

A fine piece of work, handrails and all, and the neighbor,
his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said
and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge and then they
met in the middle, taking each other's hand.

They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his
shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've got a lot of other projects
for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said,

"but, I have many more bridges to build."

 

[RiverOL]

Am I Really Pure As Snow?
=====================================​

"My marriage broke up through no fault of my own."

I was very interested in this statement.

Twenty years ago, my marriage broke up after my husband had
several affairs. I prayed nightly for nothing and no-one to
come between us. After my husband left, he said he knew he
would have to be the one to go because I was committed
regardless. Actually it was the fear of failure and
loneliness that kept me bound as a martyr. It hurt my pride
that someone else could make him happier than I could.

After the breakup, I committed my life to the Lord in a deeper
way. I was praying (probably complaining to the Lord) about
my husband's infidelity. The Lord told me, lovingly but
firmly, that my mistrust and jealousy (He named several other
negative characteristics of mine) were as much sin to Him as
my husband's infidelity. "Sin is sin!" He said. It made it
very easy to forgive my husband after I examined my
contribution to the situation.

A friend recently said that she had never heard me say
anything negative about my ex-husband. I'm glad because we
had good times as well as bad times. When he left, I lost my
best friend. We seldom contact each other but when we do, we
are comfortable with each other. More people may be in this
position. Too often, the good someone has done is totally
forgotten or destroyed by back-biting, hatred and greed. This
is the case even among Christians. The Lord can turn any
situation around and use it for the good while bringing glory
to Himself at the same time. That is my "Joseph Prayer",
which I use often and the Lord always answers.

A couple whom we were friends with went through a similar
scenario. However, the wife's attitude was to make her life
interesting and ignore his behavior. He eventually realized
that his lifestyle was not productive, changed his ways and
their relationship came back together. 20 years later, they
are still together.

Another thing the Lord showed me at that time was to see
people the way He wants us to see them. This helped
enormously with my situation and has helped others. It doesn't
just apply to just marriage, friendships and work situations;
it applies anywhere.

Does attitude count? I believe it does even if it is to make
our lives happier in difficult circumstances. Would my
situation end differently if my attitude had been different?
We can never know but it certainly makes a difference in our
happiness. It makes it easier to be less judgmental and more
compassionate when we realize that our behavior is is not
hidden from God. In fact, the hidden flaws are the most
dangerous because they are a weakness that we don't know about
or won't admit to. They will slowly erode any relationship we
enter into.

Afterwards, I hid behind a wall and was afraid to commit to
another person; I didn't want to get hurt again. Lately, I
recognized it through the caring Christian men the Lord has
brought across my path. I have a heart for older singles and
part of my ministry is to help them in the struggles they face
accepting loneliness that has been thrust upon them.

I thank the Lord for what He showed me. I was able to accept
it as truth and act on it. Am I a saint? As a Christian, I
may be a Saint but as a person, definitely not. However, I am
learning to assess things more through the eyes of the Lord
when I take time to seek Him.

My marriage broke up through no fault of my own until the Lord
showed me how He saw me.

Here is a song I wrote during a bad patch last year. It
promises hope in our bad times.

Broken Glass Of Shattered Dreams

Chorus: Broken glass of shattered dreams,
All is lost, it would seem
But I have Jesus here with me
Giving me a new dream (Repeat last time)

God hadn't promised my longed for things
So my ways did not go well
But He allowed me my direction
Then He caught me as I fell.

In small pieces my heart was broken.
All the pain destroyed my dreams,
I'd placed my hope in yearned for things,
But now they're gone so it seems.

Though still surrounded by shattered dreams
I'm no longer broken down.
I know that my Lord's right here with me
Shattered dreams will be my crown.

God's ways are not mine but this I see
He has plans to help me grow
I can trust Him because He loves me
So where He leads I will go.
(c) Maureen Lyons 3.8.05

Go on, broken creature, blessed by a love that no human
partner can give and more beautiful because of the unique
character God has formed from the broken pieces. Each crack
tells a story - the story of your life.

 

[RiverOL]

Bad Stop
==============​

The prayer request came from a woman who asked for prayer for
her daughter. Her daughter worked in loss prevention and had a
"Bad Stop"and was about to lose her job.

I had no idea of what a "Bad Stop" was so I researched it.

A "Bad Stop" is usually false arrest by store personnel of a
suspected shoplifter.

While trying to find out what a "Bad Stop" was, I discovered
an interesting statistic. The majority of the money lost by
stores from theft comes from employees, not shoplifters.
46.8% was theft by employees and 31.6% from shoplifters.
Another 14.4% was from administrative errors.

It emphasized one of the great facts of life.

Most of our problems, heartaches, pains and losses come from
the inside, not the outside.

 

[RiverOL]

Beautiful
==============​

Port Harcourt City, 7.26 PM

I was bent down, doing some washing within my compound.
Suddenly, I took notice of a shadow around me - an elongated
shadow of my bent torso, and then my consciousness was wakened
to the brightness around me.

Despite the "NEPA-lessness" of the night.
Looking up, I saw it right up there above the earth,
The moon, full and blaring down in its full brightness.

The sky spread,
And to the horizon, though in the night,
I could see the blueness of the sky
And bright rings of light emanated from the moon.
The sky sparkled with tiny little stars,
Scattered in its expanse;
And behold, the little cloud formations roaming the sky
With so much leisure and freedom.

'What a beauty', I thought.
Then, You came to my mind.
How beautiful and wonderful You are, my Lord.
You cause me to sparkle in a dark world
Making Your beauty known to all,
Revealing Your glory through me.
Reminiscing on His beauty in my life,

A song burst forth from my heart,
'Beautiful, Beautiful,
Jesus is beautiful,
And Jesus makes beautiful,
The things of my life,
Carefully touching me,
And causing my eyes to see,
That Jesus makes beautiful
The things of my life'
Thank You, Lord.

 

[RiverOL]

But For The Grace
=========================​

"There but for the grace of God go I."

I found myself uttering these words as I prayed over a heart
wrenching prayer request. Even though all of us have problems,
any of us could have greater problems. I searched to find the
origin of that saying.

This is the origin:

On seeing several criminals being led to the scaffold in the
16th century, English Protestant martyr John Bradford remarked,
"There but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford."

His words, without his name, are still very common ones today
for expressing one's blessings compared to the fate of another.
Bradford was later burned at the stake as a heretic.
From the "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert
Hendrickson.


"There but for the grace of God, go us all."