I AM

~THE LORD JESUS~

~The Lord Jesus is the beloved and only begotten Son of God. He is the Creator of all things. He came to this world for the following purposes,~

~To manifest the love, the righteousness and the perfect character of God that we may know the heavenly Father.~

~He went from place to place doing good, helping, healing and teaching, leading people back to the bosom of God.~

~But the most important thing that Jesus did was bearing for us God's punishment of our sins. As it is man who has sinned, the Lord must become a human being Himself to have a body of flesh and blood, so that He could bear the punishment to bleed and die for us.~

~How great is the love of Jesus towards us! How deep and bitter was His suffering for us! His back was torn terribly by whipping. When He was hung on the cross, He suffered various kinds of shame and pain. His body bled and dried up gradually. It can be said that every part of His body was in agony. But the most terrible suffering was that, to bear our numerous sins, He was punished and forsaken by God. His heart and spirit was in the greatest pain. His suffering was so great that even His heart was wounded. Dear friend, truly, He loved us so much that for us He endured the terrible wrath and punishment from God. Dear friend, throughout the whole universe, no one can fully comprehend His love for us.~

~But the Son of God not only took our place at the whipping, He also took our place on the cross. He bore our sins and was forsaken by God. He bore all our sins so that whoever receives Him as Saviour can have complete forgiveness and be washed whiter than snow. How can we reject His love?~

~The Lord Jesus was resurrected on the third day after His death. He wants to hold your hand and mine to walk through the journey of life. He wants to accompany us forever. He is alive now, listening to and answering millions of prayers from all those who belong to Him. He cares for us, teaching and changing us to be more like Him each day.~

~Author Unknown~

~GIVE ME SOME TIME~

~As you got up this morning, I watched you, and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday.~

~But I noticed you were too busy, trying to find the right outfit to wear. When you ran around the house getting ready, I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were to busy.~

~At one point you had to wait, fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip instead.~

~I watched patiently all day long. With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me. I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn't bow your head.~

~You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn't. That's okay. There is still more time left, and I hope that you will talk to me yet.~

~You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done, you turned on the TV. I don't know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spend a lot of time each day in front of it not thinking about anything, just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal, but again you didn't talk to me.~

~Bedtime-I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That's okay because you may not realize that I am always there for you.~

~I've got patience, more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well. I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation.~

~Well, you are getting up once again. And once again I will wait, with nothing but love for you. Hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a nice day!~

Your friend, GOD

~Author Unknown~

~AS A SIGN~

~I have two hands to touch you, As a sign I am there. I have two arms to hug you, As a sign I really care.~

~I have two eyes to watch you, As a sign I know your there. I have two legs to walk with you, As a sign I'm always there by your side.~

~Allison Kay Brown~

~IF ALL WHO HATE US WOULD LOVE US~

~If all who hate would love us, And all our loves were true, The stars that swing above us, Would brighten in the blue; If cruel words were kisses, And every scowl a smile, A better world than this is, Would hardly be worth while. If purses would not tighten To meet a brother's need, The load we bear would lighten Above the grave of greed.~

~If those who whine would whistle, And those who languish laugh, The rose would rout the thistle, The grain outrun the chaff; If hearts were only jolly, If grieving were forgot, And tears of melancholy Were things that now are not; Then love would kneel to duty, And all the world would seem A bridal bower of beauty, A dream within a dream.~

~If men would cease to worry, And women cease to sigh, And all be glad to bury Whatever has to die; If neighbor speak to neighbor, As love demands of all, The rush would eat the saber, The spear stay on the wall; Then every day would glisten, And every eye would shine, And God would pause to listen, And life would be divine.~

~Author Unknown~

~FORGIVE THEM~

~I cannot bear to think What He went through that day When they nailed Him to that wooden cross As His Mother knelt to pray.~

~Did He shout with words of anger, Did He struggle, did He fight Or did he turn His eyes toward Heaven To His Father and the light.~

~He didn't cry for vengeance, As His body filled with pain He didn't beg for mercy As His life began to wane.~

~I picture His sweet Mother As at His feet she knelt Such suffering and anguish Imagine how she felt.~

~With one last burst of strength He spoke these words so true, "Forgive them Father For they know not what they do."~

~Author Unknown~

~A VERY SPECIAL FRIEND~

~Friends can just be there or may be there when you need them.~

~There are a lot of people out there that would grieve if they were there for you "As Your Friend"~

~Some just because you don't dress right. Others, because you live on the streets.~

~What they don't know, is even if I am living out on the streets, I am still rich. I have everything.~

~I've have a friend that I know will be there for me. Oh Yes, I've got a friend indeed.~

~His name is JESUS. How many times have you had someone die for YOU? It's NOT on an everyday basis for sure.~

~That's why I believe I have someone that I can trust. And I believe that you can to. Trust In JESUS. HE Is Always Your Friend.~

~Written By: Beth Smith Age:13~

~LIFE IS~

~Life is a miracle, don't let it slip away Open your heart to others give of yourself each day.~

~See the beauty in everyone regardless of where they've been Some have a difficult journey and really need a friend.~

~Share your gifts and talents listen with your heart Do the things you dream about but don't have time to start.~

~Pick a bouquet of flowers show someone that you care Be gracious and forgiving life is never fair.~

~Hold on to your courage you may need it down the road We all have a cross to bear it could be a heavy load.~

~If you practice all these things no matter where you roam You may find both sun and rain but you'll never feel alone.~

~Author Unknown~

~DON'T WHINE~

~Today, upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden hair, Envied her, she seemed so gay, and wished I were so fair. When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle; She had one leg, and wore a crutch; and as she passed, a smile.~

~Oh God, forgive me when I whine I have two legs. The world is mine.~

~And then I stopped to buy some sweets. The lad who sold them had such charm, I talked with him he seemed so glad if I were late 'twould do no harm And as I left he said to me: "I thank you. You have been so kind. It's nice to talk with folks like you. "You see," he said, "I'm blind."~

~Oh God, forgive me when I whine I have two eyes. The world is mine.~

~Later, 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?" He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear.~

~Oh God, forgive me when I whine I have two ears. The world is mine.~

~With legs to take me where I'd go With eyes to see the sunset's glow With ears to hear what I would know Oh God, forgive me when I whine I'm blessed indeed. The world is mine.~

~When you feel down and depressed and think God has given you too many troubles. Why not try to think about the things you do have. Just this one little idea can turn your whole outlook on life for the better.~

~Author Unknown~

~A PRAYER FOR YOU~

~I said a little prayer for you and I asked the Lord above To keep you safely in His care And enfold you in His Love.~

~I did not ask for fortune for riches or for fame I only ask for blessings in the Saviour's holy name.~

~Blessings to surround you in times of trial and stress And inner joy to fill your heart with peace and happiness.~

~And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive if you have faith. Matthew 21:22~

~Author Unknown~

~HEAVEN AND EARTH~

~What if...? God couldn't take the time to Bless us today because we could not take the time to thank Him yesterday.~

~What if...? God decided to stop leading us tomorrow Because we didn't follow Him today.~

~What if...? God didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day.~

~What if....? We never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when God sent the rain.~

~What if...? God stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others.~

~What if...? God took away the Bible tomorrow, because we would not read it today.~

~What If...? God took away his message because we failed to listen to His messenger.~

~What if...? God didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price of sin.~

~What if...? The door to the church was closed because we did not open the door of our hearts.~

~What if...? God would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him yesterday.~

~What if...? God answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service.~

~What if...? God met our needs the way we give Him our lives.~

~What if...? We failed to pass this message on.~

~Author Unknown~

~AN INTERVIEW WITH GOD~

~"God will see you now for your interview", said the very busy receptionist.~

~"Welcome Home," God said. "What would you like to know?" "What surprises you most about mankind?" I asked. And God replied: That you get bored of being children, are in such a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.~

~That you lose your health to make money and then lose your money to restore your health.~

~That by thinking anxiously about the future or worrying about the past, you forget that you live in the present moment, and therefore you live neither for the present nor the future.~

~That you live as if you will never die, and you die as if you had never lived.~

~Then God's loving hands took mine and we were silent for while and then I asked... "As a parent, what are some of life's lessons you want your children to learn?" And God smiled and said: Learn that you cannot make anyone love you, but, you can always love yourself.~

~Learn that what is most valuable is not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life.~

~Learn that it is not good to compare yourselves to others. Each and every one of you is unique and beautiful and has something to offer this planet. Cherish who you are! You were meant to Shine your own Light! Don't let others determine how bright you will be!~

~Learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in persons we love, and that it takes many years to heal them.~

~Learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.~

~Learn that there are persons that love you dearly, but simply do not know how to express or show their feelings.~

~Learn that money can buy everything but happiness and that a rich person is not the one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.~

~Learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it totally different.~

~Learn that a true friend is someone who knows everything about you, and loves you anyway.~

~And so I realized that God would always Love me and that there wasn't really any need for goodbyes because God is Everywhere. All we need to do to find him, is open our hearts and listen.~

~With that, I thanked God for blessing me with the opportunity to live, to love and the freedom to create my own life on such an abundant planet.~

~"I'll be speaking with you again real soon.", I said. And God replied: Anytime, Anywhere, 24 hours - I'm always here!~

~Author Unknown~

~THEY MET GOD~

~A little boy wanted to meet GOD. He knew it was a long trip to where GOD lived, so he packed his backpack with Twinkies and a six-pack of rootbeer, and started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his backpack. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie.~

~She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, and they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.~

~When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, What did you do today that made you so happy? He replied, "I had lunch with GOD." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She has the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"~

~Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with GOD." Before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected.~

~Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. Remember, we don't know what God will look like. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.~

~Author Unknown~

~I'VE GOT A MANSION~