Forwarded Messages

Self-confidence Powers You

2012-01-29T11:40:00.002+04:00

A business executive was deep in debt and could see no way out. Creditors were closing in on him. Suppliers were demanding payment. He sat on the park bench , head in hands, wondering if anything could save his company from bankruptcy.

Suddenly an old man appeared before him. “I can see that something is troubling you,” he said. After listening to the executive’s woes, the old man said, “I believe I can help you.” He asked the man his name, wrote out a check, and pushed it into his hand saying, “Take this money. Meet me here exactly one year from today, and you can pay me back at that time.” Then he turned and disappeared as quickly as he had come.

The business executive saw in his hand a check for $500,000, signed by John D. Rockefeller, then one of the richest men in the world! “I can erase my money worries in an instant!” he realized. But instead, the executive decided to put the un-cashed check in his safe. Just knowing it was there might give him the strength to work out a way to save his business, he thought.

With renewed optimism, he negotiated better deals and extended terms of payment. He closed several big sales. Within a few months, he was out of debt and making money once again. Exactly one year later, he returned to the park with the un- cashed check. At the agreed-upon time, the old man appeared. But just as the executive was about to hand back the check and share his success story, a nurse came running up and grabbed the old man.

“I’m so glad I caught him!” she cried. “I hope he hasn’t been bothering you. He’s always escaping from the rest home and telling people he’s John D. Rockefeller.” And she led the old man away by the arm. The astonished executive just stood there, stunned. All year long he’d been wheeling and dealing, buying and selling, convinced he had half a million dollars behind him.

Suddenly, he realized that it wasn’t the money, real or imagined, that had turned his life around. It was his newfound self-confidence that gave him the power to achieve anything he went after.

_____________________________
Forwarded by Daniel V.K

Beauty That Never Fades

2012-01-25T01:37:00.000+04:00

A Russian boy, plagued by feelings of ugliness, gazed into a mirror and studied his reflection -- wide nose, think lips, tiny gray eyes, and over-large hands and feet. The boy was distraught about his appearance that he begged God to work a miracle and turn him into a handsome man. He vowed that if God would transform him, he would give his Creator all that he now possessed and all that he would earn in the future.

That Russian boy was Count Tolstoy, who grew up to become one of the world's most revered authors. He is best known for his epic, War an Peace. In one of his books, Tolstoy reveals that through the years he discovered that the physical beauty he once craved is not the only beauty in life. Nor is it the best kind of beauty. Ultimately, Tolstoy grew to regard the beauty of a strong character as being most pleasing to God's eyes.

Many people today spend vast sums on their physical appearance. Expensive business suits. Tanning sessions in the spa. Gold watches. Cosmetic surgery. Character, in contrasts, can't be bought or applied or worn. It is a matter of doing what's right, standing up for what's right. It's developing the qualities that you can't see by looking into the mirror.

The integrity of the upright shall guide them.

Proverbs 11:3 (KJV)

Things You Don't See Everyday

2012-01-23T12:22:00.003+04:00

ENJOY :-)

10 Ways to Find Inner Calm

2012-01-14T12:45:00.000+04:00

1. SLOW DOWN
If you often arrive places unable to recall the journey, it's time to check your internal speedometer. Take your time and be present in each moment.

2. MAKE 'ME TIME'
Whether it's taking a solitary walk, soaking in the tub with your favorite music, or reflecting on your day in a journal, set aside time each day to check in with yourself and how you feel. If you get into the habit, your awareness of your life desires will grow -- as well as your self-confidence.

3. DE CLUTTER

It takes practice to clear your mind through meditation, but it's amazing how much sharper your head feels and how easier it is to relax and be efficient -- when your external world is well organized. Creating order from chaos may seem overwhelming, so begin with something small; a drawer, or a pile of paperwork. Just making a start will make you feel better.

4. LOVE & BE LOVED
Inner and tranquility and happiness are created by love and compassion. But to share these feelings with others, you must first learn to love yourself. If you're not already your own best friend, learn the art of self-acceptance. Forgive or fix, rather than cursing what you consider to be your faults and flaws and you'll be amazed at the results.

5. CONNECT WITH NATURE
When we cocoon ourselves and live by artificial light, it's easy to forget our connection with nature and the benefits that it brings. Studies show that exercising in 'green' spaces like parks, or on the beach near water improves our mood and self-esteem. And the best part is, the effects kicks in after just five minutes. So pull on your shorts and get out there in the energizing fresh air.

6. QUIETEN THE MIND
Just as one needs a clean board to write on, we all need a calm and clean mind to operate at our highest potential.

7. CUT CAFFEINE
It may sound obvious, but the body finds it harder to relax and become peaceful if you spend a day riding a caffeine roller coaster from one cup to the next. So put that espresso down!

8. BE SELF - AWARE
Our unconscious habits often interfere with peaceful way out body functions. Poor posture, inefficient breathing and unnatural movement zap our energy. Don't furrow your brow or hold your breath while you think. Try to work mindfully.

9. PASS IT FORWARD
Experiments have shown that doing something kind can make you feel more optimistic and energetic. Kindness has a profound effect on our well being because helping others takes our mind off our own problems. Punctuating your day with a small kind of deeds is better for you than donating all your worldly possessions to charity. Make regular kindness a habit -- it will make you a happier person.

10. FREEDOM IN CHRIST
God has given us freedom that we are made free from the yoke of slavery. Through Christ's death and resurrection, there is now freedom for everyone from being enslaved by sin, Satan and self. Out freedom in Christ allows us to live freely from any bondage that hinders us.

**
Have you received freedom from Christ? If so, then stand firm in your liberty and be not slaves of sin anymore. If not, then consider yourself surrendering to God and give Him the yoke of bondage in exchange for the freedom that is in Jesus Christ.

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FORWARDED BY >> Arianne
** FREEDOM IN CHRIST from www.wordinsharjah.com

Persistence

2012-01-10T12:07:00.001+04:00

Wayne Dyer wrote a book that he believed was important and much needed by a lot of people. Upon completing his book, he began to search for a publisher. All his search brought him were rejection slips. Not one publisher saw any market for Dyer's work.

Discouraged but undaunted, he dipped into his own pocket and published the book himself. Then, he took to the roads to peddle it. He'd arrange appearances on local talk shows around the country, then stuff his car full of books and tell area booksellers he was going to be on the radio or TV the next day - and that he would provide them books to meed the demand created by his appearance. He did this for two years, selling a few books at a time.

One night, he taped a show in San Francisco - at 3 A.M. About seventeen people were tuned in. But, one of the people was Johnny Carson. Carson loved Dyer's stuff. Soon, Dyer appeared on The Tonight Show, and sales of his book Your Erroneous Zones skyrocketed. Dyer became a best-selling author and didn't have to do any more 3 A.M. tapings.

The lesson here: Always do your best and never, never give up. You never know who may be listening, or watching, or reading.

Work hard so God can say to you, "Well done."

2 Timothy 2:15 TLB

Perhaps Love

2012-01-05T12:37:00.000+04:00

Perhaps the most challenging distinctive of Christianity is that our God wants us to love him. While world religions talk of studying about their gods, following teachings, keeping rules and living solemn, self-sacrificing lives, becoming more self-aware, our God asks for something more. He sent his son to show us how to love because that's what he wants. He wants us to love him, to love him with all our heart and mind and soul.

Love is longing for the presence of your loved one; you think about that person throughout the day. Much more than words, this relationship is a new way to live life. Jesus' disciples learned it through experience. Toward the end of his life, John could speak of nothing else, "... let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show
the truth by our actions" (1 John 3:18 NLT).

Love demands relationship. You can memorize stacks of facts and know a lot about someone, you could even develop a fairly accurate profile describing and explaining personality and predict future behavior, but not develop a relationship with that person. Making the choice to love someone forces you to see beyond your private world, beyond your words, beyond yourself altogether. Love feeds on shared history, affection, secrets, surprises, mysteries, generosity, and spontaneity. In a manner of speaking, you make history together.

Our shared history becomes part of heaven's highlight reel. It might have been awhile since you've sensed your presence on the highlight reel, but nothing marks a shelved relationship more than forgetting the memories. Share the stories; retelling your shared history honors him and makes him proud. And it keeps your focus on him, not on your fears or boot-straps. We are not designed for privacy; we are designed to be known, to be public. Our stories should be as public as God's story.

Don't forget. Loving God means we feel his presence, respond to his nudging, see him in others, hear him when he speaks, and tell of his mighty wonders when he is silent. All the while he never leaves us, he understands when we don't have the words to explain and listens when no one else will, and is constantly searching for ways to bring out the best in us.

This song, from "Fiddler on the Roof," has a hidden message about loving in truth and action, with or without the words.

(Tevye, the patriarch of the Jewish family) Golde, I have decided to give Perchik permission to become engaged to our daughter Hodel.

(Golde, the patriarch's wife) What? He's poor! He has nothing, absolutely nothing!

(Tevye) He's a good man, Golde. I like him. And what's more important, Hodel likes him. Hodel loves him. So what can we do? It's a new world... A new world. Love! Golde, do you love me?

(Golde) Do I what?

(Tevye) Do you love me?

(Golde) Do I love you? With our daughters getting married and this trouble in the town, you're upset, you're worn out. Go inside. Go lie down! Maybe it's indigestion.

(Tevye) Golde, I'm asking you a question...do you love me?

(Golde) You're a fool.

(Tevye) I know ... But do you love me?

(Golde) Do I love you? For twenty-five years I've washed your clothes, cooked your meals, cleaned your house, given you children, milked the cow. After twenty-five years, why talk about love right now?

(Tevye) Golde, the first time I met you was on our wedding day. I was scared.

(Golde) I was shy.

Do you love me?

(Tevye) I was nervous.

(Golde) So was I.

(Tevye) But my father and my mother said we'd learn to love each other. And now I'm asking, Golde, do you love me?

(Golde) I'm your wife.

(Tevye) I know ... But do you love me?

(Golde) Do I love him? For twenty-five years I've lived with him, fought him, starved with him. Twenty-five years my bed is his. If that's not love, what is?

(Tevye) Then you love me?

(Golde) I suppose I do.

(Tevye) And I suppose I love you too.

***

So, God asks, do you love me? Yes, remember when we ...? Yes, we have shared history. Yes, I love you!

Let's have a little challenge now ... tell at least one story of God's invasion of your life. Tell about your love.

SHARE >> email and send here your FORWARDED MESSAGES

The Unemployed Entrepreneur

2012-01-04T10:35:00.001+04:00

An unemployed man applies for the position of a janitor at Microsoft. He was interviewed by the HR Chief and subjected to a battery of employment tests.

The HR Chief tells him: Congratulations! You got the job! Just give me your email address so that I can send you and employment package and let you know when to start work.

The man is distraught... he has no choice but to tell the HR Chief that he has no computer and therefore no email.The HR Chief tells him that if he has no email address, he virtually does not exist and therefore cannot hold a job.

The man leaves in a desperate mood.

He is down to his last $10 with no job in sight. He sees a supermarket and decides to buy a 10lbs box of strawberries.
He starts out making door to door calls, selling those strawberries by the pound. Within 2 hours, he manages to double his capital. He repeats the deal 3 times more and goes home with $60 in his pocket.
He comes to see that he can survive this way. He starts everyday earlier and goes home later, tripling or quadrupling his money everyday.

Before long, he buys a wheel barrow so he can buy and sell more strawberries. After a while, he is able to buy a truck and eventually becomes the owner of a fleet of delivery trucks with several employees working for him. He adds other produce items to his deliveries.

5 years go by... the man is now the owner of one of the largest food chains in the United States.

He starts thinking about the future for him and his family and decides to buy some life insurance. He calls an agent and selects a good policy. The agent asks him for his email address to send him confirmation of the policy.

The man tells him that he doesn't have an email address! That is incredible, says the agent. You have no email but you built this large empire! Can you imagine where you would be if you had an email address?

The man briefly thinks and then answers: I would be a toilet cleaner at Microsoft!

Moral of the story # 1:
The internet does not resolve all the problems in our lives!

Moral of the story # 2:
When you have no email but work hard, you can become a millionaire!

You read this by email / on the net; therefore you are closer to cleaning toilets than to being a millionaire!!! :)

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Forwarded by EJ

Moving Forward >> 2012

2012-01-03T16:15:00.000+04:00

Hi! I am KALI, your official Message Forwarder for this site.

As our first post for the year, you will not read a forwarded message but a thank you note from your admin.
I do not know you personally and vice versa; but there is this chain that connects us. Thanks to Blogger, to Facebook, to Twitter... super thanks to the technology that bind us together.

I want to thank you for sharing your valuable time with me by reading the posts and forwarding the same.

This site actually started one typical day at the office; I paused from for a while to relax and refresh my mind. I went online to check, to look for something nice to read... I cannot recall any more where I landed, but I know that it was not what I wanted. So I signed in to my email account, checked my inbox and went over the files of forwarded messages to uplift my mind. And as they say, the rest were history.

As I logged in today, I found out that there are now 101 followers of this site... it gives me joy knowing that people actually follow what my blog. You inspires me everyday. From day one that you pass by at this site, up to this day that there are over a million page views. Its not much compared to other sites. But a single view from someone whom you doesn't know, yet spare you with his/her precious time and read what you have posted is an accomplishment to a writer like me. And its a success when you share and recommend!

It is not the number that matters, but that thought that every post shared from this blogsite serves it purpose of putting a smile on every reader's heart. May it be a simple poem, a devotional, a story of success or failure, a work attitude or tips on daily living...

It is my commitment, as much as possible to post something everyday. And several times, I failed to do this promise due to my work load and other tasks... and honestly, it is a burden to me; every time that I missed posting, I feel disappointed.

Hopefully, this year, I can improve my posts, with your help...
Do you have some files from your inbox that you want to share? Send it to forwardedmessages@ymail.com . Maybe there are other people out there who badly needs an inspiration, or a guide, or a tip on how to deal with life... Share and be a blessing to others. That's why we have this blogsite.

And, if ever you need someone to talk with and to pray with... just pop a mail. (Not Spam please!) We may not know each other but we are connected in the net and we are still under one planet... :-)

Again, thank you very much.
I pray for more blessings to you and to your family this 2012!

Moving Forward >>
:-) K

Do People Hear What Your Life Is Saying?

2011-12-12T17:19:00.000+04:00

by Russ Lawson

The church had just completed the installation of a new sound system which had a special "boost in volume" capability. All the speaker had to do is push a button and the volume would increase. The preacher was commenting on the new sound system one Sunday morning and said: "If your children get a little noisy, don't worry about it. I have a little button now to take care of it." A little girl who was usually very noisy during services sat very quietly that morning and her mother asked her, "Dear, are you not feeling well today?" The little girl answered, "No, Momma, but what happens if he pushes the button?"

Obviously, the preacher was not very effective in communicating his message!

I wonder sometimes how effective we are at communicating what is important to us. If you are a Christian, sharing that fact should be at the top of our list of things to communicate. How are you doing? The word effective is defined as: "To be productive, efficient, to have the desired effect or to be successful."

Is your Christianity having the desired effect on the world around you? Do people even know you are a Christian? The scriptures tell us:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Start being effective in communicating!

A modern translation puts it this way: "In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father" (NLT).

Let me suggest this week that you "let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." How? I'm not sure, but look for opportunities! Write that card or letter to a neighbor, co-worker, friend or fellow Christian. Encourage them. Let them know about the love of God and how it can bless you.

Call someone who may be struggling! Take a plate of cookies to a neighbor; visit someone who can't get out much themselves. Let your light shine, let folks see God living in you, communicate what God is doing in your life and what he can do in the lives of others.

In other words, start being effective in communicating! God has given us a message, now share it with others. What's the message? God cares and living in him can change you and give you a life worth living, for now and through eternity!

Put Your Chin Up and Fight

2011-12-06T11:28:00.001+04:00

"In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

In his book, Life Changes, James Hefley writes about Barry Luppin who was just twenty-six when a rare nerve disease sent him into the world of silence. Unable to pursue the law career he had planned, he drifted aimlessly for eight years bemoaning his deafness.

Then he determined, in his own words, to "put my chin up and fight." He learned to lip read and went into the auto leasing business. The business prospered into a multi-million-dollar enterprise.

Barry never allowed his handicap to keep him from normal work. When a customer calls, his secretary picks up an extension phone. She hears the caller and mouths the words silently to Barry who sits nearby. He replies in normal speech never letting on that he is stone deaf.

"If you have a physical handicap, you can run into a corner and hide," says Barry, "or you can just try harder than the next man and make a success of yourself."

In many ways life is what we make of it. If we choose to live in harmony with God's will and his purpose for our life—no matter what our circumstances—our life can then be an investment not only in this life but also in eternity.

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Forwarded by Erin

Great Symphony Called Life

2011-11-27T15:39:00.001+04:00

A medical-school professor once posed this medical ethical question to his students: "Here's a family history -- the father has syphilis. The mother has TB. They already have four children. The first is blind. The second has died. The third is deaf. The fourth has TB. Now the mother is pregnant again. The parents come to you for advice. They are willing to abort their child if you decide they should. What do you say?"

After students shared various individual opinions, the professor placed them into groups to make final decisions. After deliberating, every group reported that it would recommend an abortion to the parents.

"Congratulations," the professor told his class. "You just took the life of Beethoven!"

What is the lesson? A person's inherent value and potential don't depend on family background or social station. God has created each person with worth and skill and promise. The way we treat people shouldn't be tainted by prejudice that's based on race, economic status, appearance, or handicap. This may seem like stating the obvious, we might be surprised if we honestly evaluated the way we perceive others.

Every person has potential to add music to the great symphony called life.

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Psalm 139:13

Come, Follow Me

2011-11-24T15:37:00.001+04:00

By Tim Archer
They were fishermen, men who worked the Lake of Galilee in northern Israel. The lake was full of fish, and a man could make a good living working there, especially if he knew what he was doing. Simon and Andrew, brothers born into a family of fishermen, knew their trade. It might not make them rich, but they would never go hungry. It was a safe, secure way of life.

The account of what happened is fairly brief: "As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' At once they left their nets and followed him" (Mark 1:16-18).

We do need to understand that this wasn't the first time Andrew and his brother had seen Jesus; they had spent a day with him once, listening to his teachings. (John 1:35-42). Still, I can't help but be amazed at what happens when Jesus called these men. They left their nets and followed him. More than nets, they left their father and a thriving fishing business. They left their home and the life they knew.

How did Jesus convince them? Did he lay out an educational plan of the training they would receive over the next few years? Did he discuss health coverage and benefits? No. Jesus didn't even talk to them about eternal life, the greatest benefit of all. He merely said, "Come, and I will make you fishers of men."
Jesus offered them a life of purpose. He offered them the chance to be involved in the work that God is doing in this world. That was enough to make them leave the comfortable life they had.

Jesus still says, "Come, follow me." There's more to it, of course, but in the end, it comes down to a simple invitation. Come. Come let me give purpose to your life. Come be a part of God's activity in this world.

Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

If you are totally satisfied with your life now, if you have no desire to do more and be more, then Jesus' offer won't interest you. If you're pleased with the present state of the world and don't feel any urge to work to make it better, you may not see the point.

BUT if you've been waiting for the chance to be part of something bigger than yourself, the chance is here. The time is now. "Come, follow me," Jesus says. The offer still stands.

The Sole Reps

2011-11-22T16:27:00.001+04:00

DO NOT GO WHERE THE PATH MAY LEAD; GO INSTEAD WHERE THERE IS NO PATH, AND LEAVE A TRAIL...

(Thank you Dhes Handumon for the photo)

Some years ago, a large American shoe manufacturer sent two of its sales reps to different parts of the Australian outback. The company hoped it could drum up some business among the Aborigines. It was risky venture, but the firm realized how many new customers could be gained if the venture was successful.

After each rep had spent a few weeks in the outback, the shoe company received two faxes: "There is no hope for new business here," reported one rep. "The Aborigines don't even wear shoes! It's not part of their culture. Couldn't we have researched this earlier and saved me the trip? This has been a colossal waste of time. I can't wait to get back home."

The second rep filed a different report: "Wow! What an incredible opportunity we have here in the outback! Did you know that Aborigines don't wear shoes at all? That means we have no competition from another manufacturer! We'll have thousands of new customers! Thanks for this great opportunity! It was an ingenious idea to send me here!"

As you can see, one person's obstacle is another person's opportunity. All it takes is some optimism and a little bit of soul (or sole)...

"Everything is possible for him who believes."

Mark 9:23

The Pilot and the Hunters

2011-11-13T11:22:00.001+04:00

Thomas piloted a small airplane and often sold his services to hunters in the Canadian wilderness. One season, he was approached by jeb and Jake, two moose hunters. Thomas took the duo into the wild.

When Thomas returned to fetch his clients, he studies their gear and two gigantic moose. "I'm sorry, fellas," he told them, "I can't fly out of here with two of you, all your gears, and those two Bullwinkles."

"Why not?" Jeb asked.

"Because the load will be too heavy for my plane. It will never get off the ground."

"I understand this," Jake said, exasperated. "Last year each of us got a moose, and the pilot was willing to load everything on his plane."

"Well," Thomas said tentatively, "I guess if the pilot did last yearm, uh, I can too."

They loaded up the plane, and Thomas fired the engines. The pontoon plane rose slowly and unsteadily. As it approached a mountain, it became apparent to Thomas that he would never clear this obstacle. Sure enough, the plane crushed partway up the mountain.

Fortunately, no one was hurt. As the trio crawled from the wreckage, Jeb asked, "Where are we, Jake?"

Jake surveyed the area, "Oh, about a mile farther than we got last year. Hey, Thomas, you're a better pilot that the last guy we had!"

As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

Ecclesiastes 10:1

Heart and Warm Water

2011-11-10T11:14:00.000+04:00

This is a very good article. Not only about the warm water after your meal, but about Heart Attacks. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is feels nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer . It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

Common Symptoms Of Heart Attack
A serious note about heart attacks:

You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting.

Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack.

Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.

60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.

A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this message shares it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life. Read this & share to a friend. It could save a life...

Why We Shout When In Anger

2011-11-02T10:06:00.000+04:00

A Hindu saint who was visiting river Ganges to take bath found a group of family members on the banks, shouting in anger at each other. He turned to his disciples smiled and asked.

'Why do people shout in anger shout at each other?'

Disciples thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our calm, we shout.'

'But, why should you shout when the other person is just next to you? You can as well tell him what you have to say in a soft manner.' asked the saint

Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the other disciples.
Finally the saint explained;

'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other to cover that great distance.

What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is either nonexistent or very small...'

The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.'

He looked at his disciples and said.

'So when you argue do not let your hearts get distant, Do not say words that distance each other more, Or else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return. They may end up in divorce courts, for instance.'

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Forwarded by Ana

Never, Never, Never Give Up

2011-11-01T12:53:00.001+04:00

In the early 1900s Marian dreamed of becoming a concert singer. But she knew that because her skin was different color than that of the majority, she would be at a disadvantage.

Marian's dream was buoyed by her mother, who had a patient trust in God. Marian recalled, "Mother's religion made her believe that she would receive what was right for her to have if she was conscientious in her faith. If it did not come, it was because He had not considered it right for her. We grew in this atmosphere of faith that she created. We believed as she did because we wanted the same kind of haven in the time of storm."

When Marian was denied admission to a prestigious music conservatory because of her race, her mother calmly told her that 'someone would be raised up' to help her accomplish her goals. That someone arrived on the scene only a few weeks later. His name was Guiseppe Boghetti, one of the Philadelphia's top voice teachers. He took Marian as a student.

Marian Anderson went to become one of the twentieth century's most outstanding singers. On Easter Sunday in 1939, she sang for more than 75,000 people, gathered, appropriately , at the Lincoln Memorial. Trusting her future to God, she achieved her dream -- and beyond.

IT IS BETTER TO TAKE REFUGE IN THE LORD, THAN TO TRUST IN MAN.

-Psalm 118:8

Dangerous Kids

2011-10-30T10:38:00.000+04:00

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Forwarded by Hay Rosano

Procrastination, A Thief of Time

2011-10-24T12:51:00.002+04:00

Cindy, a young writer, grinned as she read her prose on the computer screen. The words were flowing smoothly from her brain to her fingers. I'm even impressing myself, she thought, a bit sheepishly. This is the best short story I have ever written. Only a few more pages and I'll be done.

She thought about pausing briefly to save her work, but she was on a roll. She feared the sudden inability to regain the rhythm she had found. I'll save it as soon as it's finished, she reasoned.

As Cindy plunged into the next paragraph, her cursor stopped blinking. Her pulse quickened. "Come on," she said, "don't do this to me, please. Not now!" Cindy waited a few moments, then hit her space bar. Nothing. Panicking, she hit "return." No response. Her screen was frozen like the arctic tundra.

She pounded furiously on her space bar and moved her mouse frantically across its pad, but she knew it was futile. Why didn't I take a minute to save this? she thought.

Cindy sighed deeply. All that appeared on the screen was the story title: "Ready or Not."

Cindy shook her head, then phoned her husband to tell him she'd be home late. Then she faced the almost-blank screen and began typing. Again

Make the most of every opportunity. --Colossians 4:5

Adventures in Low-Cost Travel

2011-10-18T11:28:00.000+04:00

Attendant: Welcome aboard Ala Carte Air, Sir. May I see your ticket?
Passenger: Sure.
Attendant: You're in seat 12B. That will be $5, please!
Passenger: What for?
Attendant: For telling you where to sit.
Passenger: But I already knew where to sit.
Attendant: Nevertheless, we are now charging a seat-locator fee of $5. It's the airline's new policy.
Passenger: That's the craziest thing I ever heard. I won't pay it.
Attendant: Sir, do you want a seat on this flight, or not?
Passenger: Yes, yes. All right, I'll pay. But the airline is going to hear about this.
Attendant: Thank you. My goodness, your carry-on bag looks heavy. Would you like me to stow it in the overhead compartment for you?
Passenger: That would be so well, thanks.
Attendant: No problem (grunts). Up we go, and done! That will be $10, please.
Passenger: What?
Attendant: The airline now charges a $10 carry-on assistance fee.
Passenger: This is extortion. I won't stand for it.
Attendant: Actually, you're right - you can't stand. You need to sit, and fasten your seat belt. We're about to push back from the gate.. But first I need that $10.
Passenger: No way.
Attendant: Sir, if you don't comply, I will be forced to call the air marshal. And you really don't want me to do that.
Passenger: Why not? Is he going to shoot me?
Attendant: No, but there's a $50 air-marshal hailing fee.
Passenger: Oh, all right, here - take the $10. I can't believe this.
Attendant: Thank you for your cooperation, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you?
Passenger: Yes. It's stuffy in here, and my overhead fan doesn't seem to work. Can you fix it?
Attendant: Your overhead fan is not broken, sir. Just insert two quarters into the overhead coin slot for the first five minutes.
Passenger: The airline is charging me for cabin air?
Attendant: Of course not, sir. Stagnant cabin air is provided free of charge. It's the circulating air that costs 50 cents.
Passenger: I don't have any quarters. Can you make change for a dollar?
Attendant: Certainly, sir! Here you go!
Passenger: But you've given me only three quarters for my dollar.
Attendant: Yes, there's a change-making fee of 25 cents.
Passenger: For cryin' out loud. All I have left is a lousy quarter? Whatever will I do with it?
Attendant: Hang on to it. You'll need it later for the lavatory.

ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!! :-)
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Forwarded by EJ

Dream No Small Dream

2011-10-16T15:36:00.000+04:00

In 1970, Wally started baking chocolate chip cookies for his friends. He used a recipe and process passed down by his Aunt Della. For five years, he made cookies and gave away every batch - even though folks told him that his cookies were so good that he should sell them. But to Wally, the cookies were just sideline. His major goal was to be a big-time show business manager.

One day, a friend told Wally that she knew someone who could put up the money for a cookie - making business. That comment sparked Wally's thinking. He talked to some of his friends -- people like Jeff Wall, Helen Reddy and Marvin Gaye - and convinced them to put up some money.

Originally, Wally intended to open only one store, on Sunset Boulevard, just enough of a business to make a living. But Wally's enterprise grew faster and larger than he could have imagined. Soon, Wally's "Famous Amos Chocolate Cookies" were being distributed worldwide. Wally became a spokesperson for other products, including eggs and telephone company. He had once dreamed of managing celebrities. Now, he was one.

Sometimes, dreams come through the back door. So keep it unlocked. You never know how the cookie is going to crumble.

"Seek, and ye shall find; knock and it will be opened unto you." -- Matthew 7:7 KJV

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Forwarded by Randy

Rare Photos

2011-10-13T11:55:00.000+04:00

First Photograph in history in France

School grades of Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein in Brazil

Adolf Hitler as a child

Papa Pio XII and Adolf Hitler

Holocaust done by Hitler

Che Guevara and Fidel Castro

Elvis Presley drafted into the Army

Charlie Chaplin and Mahatma Gandhi

Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee

The Beatles before they became famous

The Beatles when they were adolescents

John Lennon , signing autograph before his death

John Lennon's cadaver

Body of President Kennedy in 1963

Martin Luther King's cadaver

Lady Diana accident scene

Sadam Hussein with the noose around the neck

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The First McDonald's

First Computer ever made

First Test Flight

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Early construction of Brasilia, capital of Brazil

Construction of Disney World

Construction of Christ The Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro

Construction of the Empire State Building

---

The Titanic - before sailing

The Titanic at the bottom of the sea

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Forwarded by EJ

Living with the Knots

2011-10-09T12:33:00.000+04:00

ANXIETY IS THE MISUSE OF THE IMAGINATION

The Apostle Paul instructed believers to "be anxious for nothing." Think about that. Paul says that child of God should worry about anything! And Paul didn't give this advice lightly. He was in prison at the time he wrote it. In fact, he spent a lot of time in chains at various "gray-bar hotels" -- separated from those he loved. He had his well-publicized "thorn in the flesh" to contend with as well.

Paul was a man who endured beatings and stoning. He even had disagreements with one of Jesus' original disciples, Peter. Ultimately, his staunch faith in God and his outspokenness about it got him beheaded.

Despite all his trials, Paul knew God could bring peace. God doesn't always untie all the knots in our lives. But He does give us the grace to live with the knots. So remember, there is nothing you face that is too difficult, too troubling, or too frightening for God. Follow Paul's example: He put it this way: "The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:5-7)

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times

and in every way.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Dog Bites & Life

2011-09-30T12:00:00.001+04:00

by Steve Ridgell

I was helping clean up my sister-in-law’s yard after a recent wind storm when it happened. The neighbor’s dog got me. I knew he was not happy with the chain saw, the activity, and the work going on. After all, he kept barking at us. I was carrying a load of wood to the back gate, walking about one foot inside the fence. All of a sudden, out of
the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of this dog trying to jump over the fence. As I jumped sideways, he managed to extend his head over the fence and catch my arm.

There was not any lasting damage. My arm was swollen and stayed bruised for a couple of weeks. The dog was as surprised as I was. My father-in-law worried about whether the dog should have gotten shots. Ha, ha. The neighbors were apologetic. The yard got cleaned up, and we all stayed several feet away from the fence.

And I thought about how much like life this was.

We all know there are dangerous things in this world. There is war, crime, and evil. People steal, lie, gossip, and murder in our world. We just do not expect it to happen to us. Until it does. Tornados, fires, hurricanes, and tsunamis occur around the globe. We assume those things happen to other people, not us. Until it does. We even know intellectually that people get sick, sometimes even sick enough that they die. We just do not think it will happen to us. Until it does.

Hard things, bad things, tough things happen. They happen unexpectedly. Sometime it is our fault. Sometimes it is someone else’s fault. Hope? How do we survive? How do we find hope, peace, joy, and purpose in a world like this?

I have found the answer in God, and so have millions of others throughout the ages. He will get me through anything this life throws at me. He has, and He will. He gives my life hope, peace, joy, and purpose. And He gives me life forever. He has done this through His Son Jesus. I know him. You can too...

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

-- John 7:37-38

The Gift

2011-09-28T10:54:00.001+04:00

Abilities are like tax deductions ---

we either use them, or we lose them.

Imagine receiving a gift from wealthy person who is renowned for his taste in selecting perfect and valuable presents for everyone on his list. Wouldn't this be a gift you would be eager to open?

Sadly, many people have been given gifts from the perfect Giver, but they never bother to open them or use them for their intended purpose.

God has given each of us abilities. And He never makes a mistake. His gifts are never the wrong size or style or inappropriate in any way. No one has ever needed to return a gift from God. If we open these heaven-sent gifts, we can use them in a way that will benefit others and bring glory to our Creator. Do you know what your true gift are? Are you using them? Or are they lying dormant, gathering dust? If so, it;s time to tear into that aging wrapper paper.

Putting your God-given talents to work is one of the most satisfying things you can do. As you do what God created you for, you gain deep sense of purpose and become closer and more grateful to the One who gave you your talents. Few things are as beautiful as Creator and creation working together. Do what you can with what you've been given.

DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR GIFT.

1 Timothy 4:14

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Forwarded by Summer