| | THE PATHWAY Meditation at the Crossroads: Learn the Ancient Art and Practice of Meditation "I have spent a lifetime researching and writing about the intersection of  spirituality, politics and human well-being, and been published in edited collections and journals. My involvement in the art and practice of meditation is the culmination of many strands of life and work. In this world of diversity and constant change, I believe that regular meditation has the capacity to make us more fully aware of the creative power that resides within us. The more we understand our inner being, the more readily we will treat others with compassion. I have set up this site (https://pathway-meditation.com) in response to global anxiety in the face of Covid-19. The pandemic currently poses very real challenges to mental health and well-being. My intention is to provide ancient and contemporary cultural and religious resources which might strengthen us as individuals and in communities." Dr. Celia Grace Kenny | | | | | Back to top | | | | | | MAY TODAY THERE BE PEACE WITHIN | | | May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.... May you be content knowing you are a child of God... Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.
From St. Teresa of Avila | | | | | Back to top | | | | | THOUGHT FOR THE DAY! A young man came to a Master and asked "How long is it likely to take me to attain enlightenment?" Said the Master "Ten years". The young man was shocked. "So Long?" he asked incredulously. Said the Master "No, that was a mistake. It will take you twenty years." The young man asked "Why did you double the figure?" Said the Master "Come to think of it, in your case it will probably be thirty years." | | | | Some people will never learn anything because they grasp everything too soon.
Wisdom, after all, is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of travelling.
If you travel too fast you will miss the scenery.
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| | | | | Back to top | | | | | LESSONS ON LIFE
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.
The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the autumn.
When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.
The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.
The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfilment.
The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.
He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.
If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfilment of your autumn. | | | | The following pictures are of the same place but taken in different seasons... | | | 
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| | | | | Back to top | | | | | AN EIGHT YEAR OLD EXPLAINS GOD One of God’s main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die so there will be enough people to take care of things here on earth. He doesn’t make grown-ups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way, He doesn’t have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk, He can just leave that to mothers and fathers. God’s second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times besides bedtime. God doesn’t have time to listen to the radio or TV on account of this. Since He hears everything, not only prayers, there must be a terrible lot of noise in His ears, unless He has thought of a way to turn it off. God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere, which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn’t go wasting His time by going over your parent’s head asking for something they said you couldn’t have. Atheists are people who don’t believe in God. I don’t think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren’t any who come to our church. Jesus is God’s Son. He used to do all the hard work like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn’t want to learn about God. They finally got tired of Him preaching to them and they crucified Him. But He was good and kind like His Father and He told His Father that they didn’t know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said OK. His Dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth so He told Him He didn’t have to go out on the road anymore, He could stay in heaven. So He did. And now He helps His Dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones He can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important, of course. You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to hear you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the times. You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there’s anybody you want to make happy, it’s God. Don’t skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong! And, besides, the sun doesn’t come out at the beach until noon anyway. If you don’t believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can’t go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. | | 
by ChristArt.com
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| It is good to know He’s around you when you’re scared in the dark or when you can’t swim very good and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids. But you shouldn’t just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and He can take me back anytime He pleases. And that’s why I believe in God.” | | | Written by Danny Dutton, age 8, from Chula Vista, California, for his third grade homework assignment to “Explain God. | | | | | Back to top | | | | | THE THIEF ON THE OTHER CROSS
by Dr Ralph WilsonI don't belong here, I really don't. Heaven is the last place I expected to end up after all I’ve done. But I'll tell you how I got here. I am -- I was -- an armed robber. Me and the others would live in caves in the Judean hills near the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. We made our living on the people who came down the road. We wouldn't take people in the big groups that passed. They travelled together just on account of us. But a family might be an easy mark, as well as anybody stupid enough to travel alone. I carried a sword. Took it off a soldier once, but usually a strong stick would do the trick. The threat of a beating and they would give up without a fight. I wouldn't hurt a person much if I didn't have to -- and never the women and children. But I've been known to break a few bones in my day, God forgive me. I don't think I actually killed anyone, but then I never waited long enough to find out. We lived in the hills, near camps of the Zealots, those revolutionaries who were trying to overthrow the Romans. Even went on few missions with them sometimes. It was through one of my Zealot friends that I actually heard Jesus the first time. He knew one of the disciples, Simon -- not Peter, the other Simon, who had been a Zealot before becoming a disciple. We went together to Jericho when Jesus was coming through. I was working the crowd. Rich Pharisees would linger near the edge, listening intently so as to find some teaching they could report him for. Miserable swine! I'd lift their fat purses as easy as pie. They never feel a thing in crowd like that. After Jesus finishes his talk my friend takes me over to met his friend Simon, who introduces us to the Rabbi. We shake hands and Jesus looks into my eyes for an uncomfortably long moment. It feels like he can see right into me - who I am, every black thing I have done. "You know," he says with a wisp of a smile, "there's forgiveness for you in my Kingdom - how about it?" I drop my eyes, say something non-committal, and shuffle away. The next day I'm in the crowd again, but to listen, not to work. Jesus is talking about his Kingdom, comparing it to a mustard seed, calling it the Kingdom of Heaven. I really want to go up after he has finished and take him up on this forgiveness thing, but I just can't bring myself to do it. | It wasn't much later when me and my friend Jake -- the guy on the third cross -- get caught at night by a Roman patrol. The others run off, but they catch us, beat us silly, drag us into Jerusalem, and throw us into prison. No mercy for us!. And so it happens that the same day they crucify Jesus, they crucify me and Jake, one of us on the right, the other on the left. This is no normal crucifixion. Mobs of people are there because of Jesus. Those self-righteous Pharisees come, too, making fun of Jesus, jeering him - :"If you're some kind of messiah, come on down from that cross," one shouts. "Saviour, save yourself -- if you can!" Jake begins cat-calling, too, if you can imagine that. I yell at him, "You miserable thug, don't you have any fear of God? Can't you see that we're going to die just like he is? Show a little decency. We're getting exactly what we deserve, but he’s done nothing wrong." Jake quietens down after that and the Pharisees lose interest. But I can't get Jericho out of my mind. I can't forget Jesus' eyes, his readiness to forgive, his invitation. And so I call over, though it's hard to breathe and talking makes it that much harder. | 
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"Jesus!" He turns his head towards me. "Jesus, I was there in Jericho. Simon introduced me to you. Remember?" looks at me for a moment and then nods his head just a little. He does remember.
"I never forgot what you said. I wanted to say yes, but just couldn't. And now look at me -- look at us!" He is in bad shape -- exhausted, in excruciating pain, back oozing, flesh laid open from the scourging, breath laboured. He isn't going to last as long as me - I can see that. But somehow I can see beyond all that. He was the Messiah, is the Messiah, no matter what those priests and Romans and Pharisees have done to him. And when he dies, he will be with God. I know it! In a few hours, maybe less, he will be vindicated. He will be reigning in this Kingdom he told us about. "Jesus," I call, quietly now. He opens his eyes again. They are the same eyes, the same piercing, loving, honest eyes. "Jesus," I say, "when you come into your Kingdom, would you remember me? Please?" His words are laboured. He is parched, near death, but I can still hear him clearly - "Truly, I say to you...." I can see in his eyes that he means it. "... Truly, this very day you'll be with me in Paradise." His eyes droop and he is fading now. But I believe him. That's what got me through those next few hours until they broke my legs and killed me. I did believe him! And then I find myself in heaven. Don't deserve to be here, but here I am. I guess that's what a man like me gets for accepting a King's pardon. | | | | | Back to top | | | | | ALIVE The Sabbath seemed to drag on endlessly. Despite the pain the thought evoked, Mary determined to go back Sunday morning to finish anointing the Master's body with spices. She owed him that. Sleep that night came in brief snatches. Long before sunup, Mary was dressed to meet two other women she'd asked to help her. Gray dawn streaked the sky as they set out. Hurrying along, Salome whispered, "Who'll move the stone? "Oh, the stone!" Mary said. She hadn't thought of that. As they came in sight of the tomb, she gasped. The stone had already been pushed aside. "Grave robbers!" Mary cried. "Can't they leave him alone -- even in death?" Mary ran and ran until she found Peter and John. "They've taken the Lord's body out of the tomb," she said breathlessly. "We don't know where they've put him!" Peter and John took off sprinting. Mary, too tired to run any farther, trudged slowly back to the garden tomb. By the time she arrived Peter and John had come and gone. The other women had waited. Now together they peered into the dank tomb. Only coiled shroud-wrappings remained where the body had been. Suddenly the dim tomb was lit by the dazzling appearance of two men. Instinctively, the women shielded their eyes from the brightness and bowed in terror. One of the angels spoke: "Why do you seek the living among the dead? You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen as he said." The women were dazed, even after the angels departed. "Risen?" said Salome finally. "We've got to tell the disciples what we've seen." At the garden's edge, Mary stopped. "Please wait," she begged. "I need to stay here just a few more minutes. She sat down by herself, trying to make sense of it all. How could Jesus be alive? She had washed the corpse herself. Wasn't it just too good to be true? Could she cling to something this wonderful only to have her hopes dashed once more? But if it were true, Mary thought, if it were true, then Jesus' whole life had meaning. If it were true, then he was the Messiah after all. If it were true, then the One who healed her tormented spirit had conquered death itself. If it were true.... The sound of footsteps intruded on her thoughts. Mary glanced up. It must be the caretaker, the gardener. "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Didn't he know who had been buried here? "Sir, if you took away his body, please tell me where you've put him, so I can bring him back." No answer. So he didn't know.... "Mary." It was Jesus! She whirled and looked up into his face. "Rabboni! Teacher!" She dropped to her knees and embraced his feet. Jesus, her Lord, was alive. Very alive. Alive forever. "I have seen the Lord," she told the disciples. They were cynical. "Sure, Mary. Why should the Lord appear to you, anyway -- a woman. And one with your history?" Why indeed? Mary wondered later. Oh, he had appeared to his disciples later the same day. But she had been the first. Maybe to show that he really accepted her. Or maybe to prove his forgiveness was forever. Why, she was never sure. But one thing Mary did know: her Messiah lives!
by ChristArt.com
| | | Back to top | | | | | A Child's Angel author unknown Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born. So one day he asked God: "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"
"Among the many angels, I chose one for you. She will be waiting for you and will take care of you." "But tell me, here in Heaven, I don't do anything else but sing and smile, that's enough for me to be happy."
"our angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day. And you will feel your angel's love and be happy." "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me, if I don't know the language that men talk?"
"Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your
angel will teach you how to speak."
| "And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"
"Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray." "I've heard that on earth there are bad men. Who will protect me?"
"Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life." "But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."
"Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way for you to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you."
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| At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from earth could already be heard, and the child in a hurry asked softly: "Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."
"Your angel's name is of no importance, you will call your angel: Mother."
| | | | | Back to top | | | | | CHRIST CAME TO STAND IN OUR SHOES AND TEACH US HOW TO WALK IN HIS God spoke to me “Walk in the shoes of you brother or sister” I said “I have tried” “What did you see?” I thought for a moment and said “Smiling faces, painful stares, hope filled eyes” God continued “What did you touch?” I replied “the harshness of life, the reality of the journey, the desperate need.” God pressed me further “What did you feel?” I spoke now with more urgency. I answered “anguish, anger, helplessness, compassion and love” God asked expectantly “What did you do?” I cried and through my tears I heard myself say “I gave in and in my giving the shoes fitted.” God enfolded me gently in His arms and said: “You have stood in the shoes of your brother and sister….. You have walked in the shoes of Christ. May Christ who came to stand in our shoes show us, this Lent how to walk in one another's shoes and in the shoes of our suffering brothers and sisters. 
| | | | | Back to top | | | | | I MUST STAY AT YOUR HOUSE TODAY by Joyce Rupp
| Zacchaeus..."He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly." Luke 19 v 3 - 6 (NIV) Jesus, this Lent I am yearning to wear a Zacchaeus heart I am wanting to hear you call my name, just as you did his I am anxious to know that you are inviting yourself into my home I am humbled, amazed, excited, and astounded, just as he was. | 
by ChristArt.com
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But that is where the desire to wear a Zacchaeus heart stops. Because I know what happens when you visit someone's house Conversations occur, choices are presented, changes happen.
That’s because you look for more than dust when you come to visit and you talk about things more vital than the weather. You move into the hearts dimension. You gaze deeply. You dwell so lovingly that the truth cannot be resisted. This Lent help me to welcome you and yearn for your love Grant me a Zacchaeus heart that turns around and sees the truth I need the gaze of your love to remind me of my truest self I, too, need the strong call to make amends and start anew. Hurry, Jesus, come and stay at my house today. 
| | | Back to top | | | | | JESUS LOVES ME A church in Atlanta was honouring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years and at that time was 92 years of age. After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quietened down, he rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gait to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak: “When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50 odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heartbreak and pain and fear and sorrow paralysed me - the only thing that would comfort me was this verse - | “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong - we are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me - the Bible tells me so.” |  |
| When he finished the church was quiet. You could actually hear his footsteps as he shuffled back to his chair. A pastor once stated “I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children’s hymn “Jesus loves me” (for the children, of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because they knew it best.”
SENIOR version of Jesus loves me:
Here is a new version just for us who have white hair, or no hair at all. For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all you others, check out this newest version of “Jesus loves me”. Read, sing and enjoy!
Jesus loves me, this I know Though my hair is white as snow Though my sight is growing dim Still He bids me trust in Him.
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by ChristArt.com
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(Chorus) Yes, Jesus loves me...yes Jesus loves me...Yes Jesus loves me - the Bible tells me so.
When the nights are dark and long In my heart He puts a song Telling me in words so clear “Have no fear, for I am near.”
Chorus
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| by ChristArt.com |
Though my steps are oh so slow
With my hand in His I’ll go On through life, let come what may He’ll be there to lead the way.
Chorus
When my work on earth is done And lives victories have been won He will take me home above Then I’ll understand His love.
Chorus
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| by ChristArt.com |
Though I am no longer young I have much which He’s begun Let me serve Christ with a smile Go with others the extra mile.
Chorus
I love Jesus, does He know? Have I ever told Him so? Jesus loves to hear me say That I love Him every day.
Chorus
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by ChristArt.com
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| | | Back to top | | | | | | THE DIVINE WEAVER | | | Man's life is laid in the loom of time To a pattern he does not see While the weaver works and the shuttles fly 'Til the end of eternity | 
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| | | Some shuttles are filled with silver thread And some with threads of gold. While often but the darker hue Is all that they may hold But the weaver watches with skilful eye Each shuttle fly to and fro And sees the pattern so deftly wrought As the loom works sure and slow. | 
by ChristArt.com
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| | | God surely planned that pattern Each thread - the dark and the fair Was chosen by His master skill And placed in the web with care. He only knows the beauty And guides the shuttles which hold The threads so unattractive As well as the threads of gold. | 
by ChristArt.com
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| | | | | Not 'til the loom is silent And the shuttles cease to fly Shall God unroll the pattern And explain the reason why. The dark threads are as needful In the weavers skilful hand As the threads of gold and silver In the pattern He had planned. | 
by ChristArt.com
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| | | | | Back to top | | | | | | THE BEST THING TO GIVE by Ben Franklin
The best thing to give your enemy is forgiveness
To an opponent - tolerance To a friend - your ear To your child - good example To a father - reverence To a mother - conduct that will make her proud of you To yourself - respect To all men - charity |  |
| | | | | Back to top | | | | | | DEATH A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said "Doctor, I am afraid to die - tell me what lies on the other side?" Very quietly, the doctor said "I don't know." "You don't know - you a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?" The doctor was holding the handle of the door - from the other side came a sound of scratching and whining. As he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death. But I do know one thing - I know my Master is there and that is enough."
| | | | | Back to top | | | | | | SMILE! | | | | God's way of saying "Smile!". | | | 
| | | | | Back to top | | | | | | THE INTERVIEW WITH GOD - author unknown I dreamed I had an interview with God.
“So you would like to interview me?” God asked.
“If you have the time” I said.
God smiled. “My time is eternity.” “What questions do you have in mind for me?”
“What surprises you most about humankind?”
God answered...“That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.”
“That they lose their health to make money...and then lose their money to restore their health.”
“That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither the present nor the future.”
"That they live as if they will never die, and die as though they had never lived.”
God’s hand took mine and we were silent for a while.
And then I asked...“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons you want your children to learn?”
“To learn they cannot make anyone love them. All they can do is let themselves be loved.”
“To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others.”
“To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.”
“To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in those they love, and it can take many years to heal them.”
“To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.”
“To learn that there are people who love them dearly, but simply have not yet learned how to express or show their feelings.”
“To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.”
“To learn that it is not enough that they forgive one another, but they must also forgive themselves.”
"Thank you for your time," I said humbly.
"Is there anything else you would like your children to know?"
God smiled and said, “Just know that I am here... always.” | 
The on-line presentation of The Interview with God can be viewed at www.theinterviewwithgod.com
The following excerpt is from the above website link: "The Interview With God, its popularity propelled by millions of visitors from all parts of the world, has become a spiritual phenomenon.
The online presentation has spread like wildfire, and has touched hearts all around the world. People of all walks of life and of all faiths are fully embracing it. The subtle reminder of a caring and active God has become the focus of countless emails to loved ones, and conversations everywhere. To date, the beautiful message has reached millions.
A remarkable number of e-mails and letters come from those that have expressed how God has touched them and personally spoken to them through The Interview With God. Aching hearts healed, families touched, lives being blessed. The spirit of God's love truly brings meaning and hope -- what our world needs, and now receives with open arms.
Millions more are waiting for the simple and powerful message that God is with us... always. Whose life can you touch today by sharing The Interview With God?"
| | | Back to top | | | | | | BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD... | | | 
by ChristArt.com
| | | | | Back to top | | | | | | A LETTER FROM HEAVEN | | | To my dearest family, some things I’d like to say - but first of all to let you know that I’ve arrived OK. I am writing this from Heaven, where I dwell with God above - where there’s no more tears or sadness—there is just eternal love. Please do not be unhappy because I’m out of sight - remember that I’m with you every morning, noon and night. The day I had to leave you, when my life on earth was through God picked me up and hugged me and said “I really welcome you - it’s good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone - as for your dearest family - they’ll be here much later on. I need you here so badly as part of my big plan - there’s so much that we have to do to help our fellow man. “ Then God gave me a list of things he wished for me to do - and foremost on the list of mine is to watch and care for you. And I will be beside you every day and week and year, and when you’re sad I’m standing there to wipe
away the tear. When you’re fast asleep and all the chores have taken flight - God and I will be closer to
you - always through the night. When you think of my life on earth and all those living years, because you’re only human
they are bound to bring you tears. Do not be afraid to cry, it does relieve the pain,
remember there would be no flowers unless there was some rain. I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned, but I can’t really let you know
for you wouldn’t understand. But one thing is for certain, thought my life on earth’s no more - I am closer to you
know than I ever was before. by ChristArt.com And to my many friends, trust God knows what is best, I’m still not very far away, I’m just beyond the crest. It was always my philosophy, and I would like it for you too, that as you give unto the world so the world will give to you. So if you help somebody who is feeling down and low, just lend a hand and pick them up as on your way you go. When you are walking down the street, and you’ve got me on your mind, I am walking in your footsteps, I am half a step behind. And when you feel a gentle breeze or the wind upon your face - that’s me giving you a great big hug, or just a soft embrace. And when it’s time for you to go - from that body to be free - remember that you’re not going away - you are coming home to me. And I will always love you from this happy land above - I’ll soon be in touch again with you. PS God sends His love. Author unknown | | | Back to top | | | | | DO IT ANYWAY | | | People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centred;
Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway. Written By Mother Theresa | 
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| | | Back to top | | | | | | IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES | | | If I knew it would be the last time, that I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly, and pray the Lord, your soul to keep. If I knew it would be the last time, that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss, and call you back for one more. If I knew it would be the last time, I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word, so I could play them back day after day. If I knew it would be the last time, I could spare an extra minute or two,
to stop and say "I love you," instead of assuming you would KNOW I do. If I knew it would be the last time, I would be there to share your day,
well I'm sure you'll have so many more, so I can let just this one slip away. For surely there's always tomorrow, to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance, to make everything all right. There will always be another day, to say our "I love you",
And certainly there's another chance, to say our 'Anything I can do's?' But just in case I might be wrong, and today is alI I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you, and I hope we never forget. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance, you get to hold your loved one tight. So if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day. That you didn't take that extra time, for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish. So hold your loved ones close today, and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them, and that you'll always hold them dear. Take time to say "I'm sorry," "Please forgive me," "thank you," or "its okay."
And if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today. Author unknown |  |
| | | Back to top | | | | GOD IS THERE JUST FOR YOU... | | | | | | YOU SAY | 
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| | You say: "It's impossible" You say: "I'm too tired" You say: "Nobody really loves me" You say: "I can't go on" You say: "I can't figure things out" You say: "I can't do it" You say: "I'm not able" You say: "It's not worth it" You say: "I can't forgive myself" You say: "I can't manage" You say: "I'm afraid" You say: "I'm always worried and
frustrated" You say: "I'm not smart enough" You say: "I feel all alone" |
| | God says: All things are possible God says: I will give you rest God says: I love you God says: My grace is sufficient God says: I will direct your steps God says: You can do all things God says: I am able God says: It will be worth it God says: I Forgive you God says: I will supply all your needs God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear God says: Cast all your cares on ME
God says: I give you wisdom God says: I will never leave you or forsake you |
| | Luke 18:27 Matthew 11:28-30 John 3:16 & John 3:34 2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15 Proverbs 3:5-6 Philippians 4:13 2 Corinthians 9:8 Roman 8:28 1 John 1:9 & Romans 8:1 Philippians 4:19 2 Timothy 1:7 1 Peter 5:7
1 Corinthians 1:30 Hebrews 13:5 |
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| | | | | Back to top | | | | GOD...ALWAYS ANSWERS PRAYER | | | 
Excerpted from the book "Positive Prayers for Power Filled Living", by Rev. Dr. Robert H. Schuller | | | | | Back to top | | | | THE BRICK | | | A young and successful executive was travelling down a neighbourhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?" The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister, please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother", he said, "he rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up!" Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me." Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. "Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: 'Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!' God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us to make an impact. It's our choice to listen or not. |
| | | | | Back to top | | | | WHY HUMANS OUTLIVE DOGS | | | Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. | | | We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long." Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God... | |
by ChristArt.com
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| | | Back to top | | | | | | DEATH IS NOTHING AT ALL | | | "Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just round the corner. All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!" | | 
by ChristArt.com
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by Henry Scot Holland | | | | | Back to top | | | | DEAR GOD | | | We don't know who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office...
Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month. The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words:
Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I 'm happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her. She likes to swim and play with balls. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey & Meredith, addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had. Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I recognized her right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in so I'm sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me.
What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find. I am wherever there is love.
Love,
God | | | 
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