I AM

~BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE~

~We cannot all be famous or be listed in "Who's Who", But every person, great or small, has important work to do, For seldom do we realize the importance of small deeds Or to what degree of greatness unnoticed kindness leads.~

~For it's not the big celebrity in a world of fame and praise, But it's doing unpretentiously in undistinguished way. The work that God assigned to us, unimportant as it seems, That makes our task outstanding and brings reality to dreams.~

~So do not sit and idly wish for wider, new dimensions where you can put in practice your many good intentions. But at the spot God placed you begin at once to do Little things to brighten up the lives surrounding you.~

~If everybody brightened up the spot where they're standing By being more considerate and a little less demanding, This dark old world would very soon eclipse the evening star If everybody brightened up the corner where they are!~

~Author Unknown~

~STANDING WATCH~

~We have one Angel standing watch above us as we sleep. Another gathers up the hopes and dreams we wish to keep.~

~One Angel is the tiny voice that whispers in our ears. With words of love and comfort to conquer grief and fears.~

~Of course we have one Guardian, one friendship keeper too. Another just to help us mend the thoughtless things we do.~

~We have a Guardian of love who protects our Destiny. And helps us with our soulmate who with we were meant to be.~

~We have a host of Angels that keep us company. In order that we become the best that we can be.~

~Author Unknown~

~WHAT DO ANGELS LOOK LIKE~

~Like the little old lady who returned your wallet yesterday.~

~Like the taxi driver who told you that your eyes light up the world.~

~Like the small child who showed you the wonder in simple things.~

~Like the poor man who offered to share his lunch with you.~

~Like the rich man who showed you that it is really possible, if you only believe.~

~Like the stranger that just helped you along when you had lost your way.~

~Like the friend who touched your heart, when you didn't think you had one.~

~ANGELS come in all sizes and shapes, all ages and skin types.~

~Some with freckles, dimples, and wrinkles. Disguised as friends, enemies, teachers, students, lovers and fools.~

~They don't take life too seriously, they travel light.~

~They leave no forwarding addresses, they ask nothing in return.~

~They are hard to find with your eyes closed, but when you choose to see, they are everywhere you look.~

~Author Unknown~

~GOD IS~

~He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End~

~He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all~

~He is the Architect of the universe and The Manager of all times~

~He always was, He always is, and He always will be, Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone~

~He was bruised and brought healing~

~He was pierced and eased pain~

~He was persecuted and brought freedom~

~He was dead and brought life~

~He is risen and brings power~

~He reigns and brings Peace~

~The world can't understand him~

~The armies can't defeat Him~

~The schools can't explain Him~

~The leaders can't ignore Him~

~Herod couldn't kill Him~

~The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him~

~The people couldn't hold Him~

~Nero couldn't crush Him~

~Hitler couldn't silence Him~

~The New Age can't replace Him~

~Donahue can't explain Him away~

~He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.~

~He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.~

~He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.~

~His ways are right,~

~His word is eternal,~

~His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.~

~He is my Redeemer,~

~He is my Savior,~

~He is my guide, and He is my peace~

~He is my Joy,~

~He is my comfort,~

~He is my Lord, and He rules my life~

~I serve Him because His bond is love,~

~His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.~

~I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,~

~The power of the powerful,~

~The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers,~

~The leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and The sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.~

~And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.~

~His goal is a relationship with ME!~

~He will never leave me,~

~Never forsake me,~

~Never mislead me,~

~Never forget me,~

~Never overlook me, and Ever cancel my appointment in His appointment book!~

~When I fall, He lifts me up!~

~When I fail, He forgives!~

~When I am weak, He is strong!~

~When I am lost, He is the way!~

~When I am afraid, He is my courage!~

~When I stumble, He steadies me!~

~When I am hurt, He heals me!~

~When I am broken, He mends me!~

~When I am blind, He leads me!~

~When I am hungry, He feeds me!~

~When I face trials, He is with me!~

~When I face persecution, He shields me!~

~When I face problems, He comforts me!~

~When I face loss, He provides for me!~

~When I face Death, He carries me Home!~

~He is everything for everybody, everywhere, Every time, and every way.~

~He is God, He is faithful.~

~I am His, and He is mine!~

~My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.~

~So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this.~

~He said it and that settles it.~

~God is in control, I am on His side, and That means all is well with my soul.~

~Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is.~

~Author Unknown~

~GOOD MORNING ALL~

~This morning when I wakened And saw the sun above, I softly said, "Good morning, Lord, Bless everyone I love."~

~Right away I thought of you And said a loving prayer, That He would bless you specially, And keep you free from care.~

~I thought of all the happiness A day could hold in store, I wished it all for you because No one deserves it more.~

~I felt so warm and good inside, My heart was all aglow. I know God heard my prayers for you, He hears them all, you know.~

~Author Unknown~

~NO MATTER WHAT~

~No matter what they tell us No matter what they do No matter what they teach us What we believe is true.~

~No matter what they call us How ever they attack No matter where they take us We'll find our own way back.~

~I can't deny what I believe I can't be what I'm not I know I'll love forever I know no matter what.~

~If only tears were laughter If only night was day If only prayers were answered Then we would hear God say,~

~"No matter what they tell you No matter what they do No matter what they teach you What you believe is true.~

~And I will keep you safe and strong And sheltered from the storm No matter where it's barren A dream is being born."~

~No matter who they follow No matter where they lead No matter how they judge us I'll be everyone you need.~

~No matter if the sun don't shine Or if the skies are blue No matter what the ending My life began with you.~

~I can't deny what I believe I can't be what I'm not I know this love's forever That's all that matters now, no matter what.~

~From Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman's "Whistle Down The Wind"~

~THE BLESSED LESSON~

~I woke up this morning and knew that today, The sun would not be shining and the clouds would be gray. As I stepped outside, rain fell upon my head. My car wouldn't start so I walked to school instead.~

~I forgot all of my assignments, I failed all of my tests. I dropped my head in disgust and asked the Lord for one request. "Lord, why is it that things won't go my way?" He gently replied, "Dear child it is because you didn't thank me yesterday.~

~I woke you up and enabled you to see the sun again. I gave you shelter, protected your family, and even let you make a new friend. I blessed you far greater than I ever had before. But you were too busy to thank me once more.~

~You didn't feel sick because I maintained your health. You had money in your pocket because I maintained your wealth. You had shoes on you feet and clothes to wear, too. You had plenty of food to eat, and what did you do?~

~ You ignored me and went about your tasks. But when you wanted something you never hesitated to ask. I was there when you needed me, and that wasn't too long ago. But when things started going your way, it was me you did not know.~

~As if that weren't enough, I provided your favorite luxuries. This was something I didn't have to do they weren't even necessities.~

~And when it was time to get on your knees and show your gratitude, you decided that after such a fulfilling day, you weren't in the mood. So I decided to give you just a little test. To show you how it would feel to stop being blessed."~

~I began to realize what the Lord was saying. And when I got home, I fell to my knees and started praying. He said, "My child, you have learned and you know I do forgive. But remember to remember this day as long as you shall live. I love filling your life with joy, and your pain I'll alleviate. But just a simple thank you would show how much you appreciate it."~

~Author Unknown~

~WHAT DISEASE CANNOT DO~

~It cannot cripple love.~

~It cannot shatter hope.~

~It cannot corrode faith.~

~It cannot destroy confidence.~

~It cannot kill friendships.~

~It cannot shut out memories.~

~It cannot invade the soul.~

~It cannot reduce eternal hope.~

~It cannot quench the spirit.~

~It cannot lessen the Power of the Resurrection.~

~Author Unknown~

~GOD'S EMBROIDERY~

~When I was little, my mother used to sew a great deal. I would sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. She informed me that she was embroidering. As from the underside I watched her work within the boundaries of the little round hoop that she held in her hand, I complained to her that it sure looked messy from where I sat.~

~She would smile at me, look down and gently say, "Son, you go about your playing for a while, and when I am finished with my embroidering, I will put you on my knee and let you see it from my side." I would wonder why she was using some dark threads along with the bright ones and why they seemed so jumbled from my view. A few minutes would pass and then I would hear Mother's voice say, "Son, come and sit on my knee."~

~This I did only to be surprised and thrilled to see a beautiful flower, or a sunset. I could not believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy. Then Mother would say to me, "My son, from underneath it did look messy and jumbled, but you did not realize that there was a plan on the top. It was a design. I was only following it. Now look at it from my side and you will see what I was doing."~

~Many times through the years I have looked up to Heaven and said, "Father, what are You doing?" He has answered, "I am embroidering your life." I say, "But it looks like a mess to me. It seems so jumbled. The threads seem so dark. Why can't they all be bright?"~

~The Father seems to tell me, "'My child, you go about your business of doing My business, and one day I will bring you to Heaven and put you on my knee and you will see the plan from My side."~

~Author Unknown~

~THE SON~

~A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art~!

~When the Viet Nam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.~

~About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art."~

~The young man held out his package."I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this." The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting.~

~The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift." ~

~The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.~

~The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.!

~On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?" There was silence.~

~Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"~

~Another voice shouted angrily, "We didn't come to see this painting! We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!" But still the auctioneer continued, "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?" ~

~Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?"~

~"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?" The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!" A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now, let's get on with the collection!" The auctioneer laid down his gavel, "I'm sorry, the auction is over." "What about the paintings?"~

~"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"~

~God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The son, the son, who'll take the son?" Because you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.~

~Author Unknown~

~I SAW THE LIGHT~