Thoughts and Visions

2018-08-16T10:50:00.000+07:00

LEVEN'S ERVARINGEN

Sommige mensen gooien altijd stenen op je pad. Het hangt af van wat u met hen maakt; een muur of een brug? - Vergeet niet dat je de architect van je leven bent.
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Zoek naar een goed hart, maar zoek niet naar een mooi gezicht, want mooie dingen zijn niet altijd goed, maar goede dingen zijn altijd mooi.
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Het is niet belangrijk om alle goede kaarten in het leven te houden, maar het is belangrijk hoe goed je speelt met de kaarten die je vasthoudt.
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Vaak als we alle hoop verliezen en denken dat dit het einde is, onthoud God en bid, het is slechts een bocht, niet het einde. ' -
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Heb vertrouwen en heb een succesvol leven. Een van de fundamentele verschillen tussen God en de mens is, God geeft en vergeeft. Maar de mens krijgt en vergeet. Wees dankbaar in het leven ...
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Als u denkt dat het uw wekker is die u vanochtend wakker heeft gemaakt, probeer hem dan naast een lijk te leggen en u zult zich realiseren dat het de genade van God is die u wakker heeft gemaakt.
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Als je God dankbaar bent, stuur dit dan door aan al je vrienden om hen te laten weten dat het JULLIE DOOR DE GENADE VAN God is dat we leven ........

2018-08-16T10:27:00.000+07:00

YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW

Good morning said a woman as she walked up to the man sitting on the ground.

The man slowly looked up.

This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new.. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life.

His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.. "Leave me alone," he growled....

To his amazement, the woman continued standing.

She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."

The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.

"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.

Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked..

"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"

The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"

"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."

"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."

"This is a good deal for you, Jack" the officer answered. "Don't blow it.."

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived...

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business.."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled....... "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."

"And do you make a godly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh."

The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"

"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."

"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"

"Yes, ma’am. That would be very nice."

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.

"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.. "Jack, do you remember me?"

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said.. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble... Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons...He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet... If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he said.

"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus...... He led me to you."

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways....

"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.

"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And.. And thank you for the coffee."

2017-12-31T12:31:00.000+07:00

Pengantar tutup tahun

PERSOALAN HANYA *SEPELE*
Seorang wanita muda tengah duduk santai di dalam bis yang melaju ke tengah kota. Di satu pemberhentian bis, *seorang wanita tua yang cerewet dan berisik naik ke dalam bis dan duduk di samping wanita muda tadi.*

Tas-tas bawaannya yg berat dia tumpuk begitu saja di atas kursi, membuat wanita muda itu harus menggeser duduknya sambil setengah terjepit di antara tas-tas berat dan jendela bis.

Seorang pemuda yang duduk di bangku sebelah melihat kejadian itu menjadi kesal, dan bertanya kepada wanita muda itu, "Kenapa kamu tidak bicara saja, katakan pada wanita tua itu bahwa kamu terganggu..."

Wanita muda itu menjawab sambil tersenyum: _*"Saya rasa tidak perlu bersikap kasar dan beradu argumentasi untuk sesuatu yang sepele seperti ini, Perjalanan bersama kita ini terlalu singkat.*Sebentar lagi juga saya akan turun di perhentian bis berikutnya.."_

*Jawaban wanita muda tadi sangat pantas untuk ditulis dengan huruf emas*:

_"Kita tidak perlu berdebat untuk sesuatu yang sepele.. *Perjalanan kita bersama amat singkat."*_

Alangkah indahnya kalau masing-masing kita bisa menyadari bahwa _*Perjalanan hidup kita di dunia ini sangat singkat*_ sehingga kita tidak akan membuang waktu untuk membuat perjalanan hidup kita jadi suram dengan macam-macam *perdebatan, atau adu argumentasi* yang sengit dan tajam.

Kalau kita tahu bahwa _*Perjalanan hidup ini begitu singkat,*_ maka kita tidak akan mau membuang tenaga terus mengeluh, mengumpat, merasa tidak puas, bersikap mencari-cari kesalahan... karena semua hanya membuang waktu kita di perjalanan yang singkat ini.

Apakah seseorang sudah melukai bahkan menghancurkan hatimu? Tetaplah tenang, _*Perjalanan hidupmu terlalu singkat.*_

Apakah seseorang sudah menghianati kamu, mengejek-ejek kamu, menipu atau bahkan menghina kamu? Tetaplah tenang, maafkan mereka, karena _*Perjalanan hidup kita sangat singkat.*_

Apapun masalah yang dibuat oleh orang lain kepada kita, mari kita selalu ingat bahwa *_Perjalanan hidup kita sangat singkat._*

Tidak seorang pun yang tahu kapan waktu _*Perjalanan hidupnya akan berakhir.*_

Tidak ada orang yang tahu kapan dia akan tiba di perhentian bis yang berikutnya. _*Perjalanan hidup kita bersama sangat singkat..*_

_Mari kita saling memberikan kebahagiaan kepada keluarga dan teman-teman kita.._

_Mari kita saling menaruh hormat, saling berbuat baik dan saling memaafkan satu dengan yang lain.._

_Mari kita isi hidup ini dg rasa syukur dan bersukacita selalu.._

Kalau saya pernah menyakiti hati teman-teman semua, mohon dimaafkan.. Bila sahabat atau saudaraku pernah menyakiti hatiku, sudah saya maafkan semuanya karena.. _*Perjalanan hidup kita terlalu singkat.*_

SELAMAT MENYONGSONG TAHUN BARU 1 JANUARI 2018.

2017-10-10T20:45:00.000+07:00

Perfect Love
Perfect Love Is Not Receiving, Its Giving And Forgiving.
Perfect Love Is Not Red Roses On Valentine Day, Its The
Rest Of The 364 Days Of Knowing You Love Someone.
Perfect Love Is Not Phone Calls And Stolen Kisses, Its
The Silent Smiles, In Memory Of Your Sweetheart.
Perfect Love Is Not A Grand Wedding, But Spending A
Lifetime Together.
Perfect Love Is Not Fight-Kiss-And-Make-Up, Its Loving
The One Who Annoys You.
Perfect Love Is The Love That God Gives To You.
Do You Love Someone Perfectly?

2017-10-04T11:08:00.000+07:00

Interpretation of Prayer

Prayer doesn't just happen when we kneel or put our hands together and focus and expect things from God.

Thinking positive and wishing good for others is a prayer.

When you hug a friend.
That's a prayer.

When you cook something to nourish family and friends.
That's a prayer.

When we send off our near and dear ones and say, 'drive safely' or 'be safe'.
That's a prayer.

When you are helping someone in need by giving your time and energy.
You are praying.

When you forgive someone by your heart.
That is prayer.

Prayer is a vibration. A feeling. A thought. Prayer is the voice of love, friendship, genuine relationships, genuine concern. Prayer is an expression of your silent being

2016-08-15T13:32:00.000+07:00

Ik geef je Mijn Geest

Ik geef je Mijn vrede. Ik reik jou Mijn hand.

Ik geef je Mijn stertkte. Door Mij houd je stand.

Ik geef je genade, een teken van trouw.

Ik ben als een Vader. Ik ben er voor jou.

Ik geef je Mijn blijdschap. Ik geef je Mijn kracht.

Ik geef je Mijn uitzicht, het licht in de nacht.

Ik geef je Mijn warmte, een vuur in de kou.

Ik geef je Mijn liefde. Ik ben er voor jou.

Ik geef je Mijn toekomst. Ik geef je Mijn troost.

Want Ik zal beschermen wat zwak is en broos.

Ik geef je Mijn stilte die nimmer benauwt.

In Mij mag je rusten. Ik ben er voor jou.

Ik geef je Mijn vriendschap. Een arm om je heen.

Ik geef je Mijn woord. Je bent nooit meer alleen.

Ik geef je Mijn leven, omdat ik van je hou.

Ik geef je Mijn Geest, want ik ben er voor jou.

Al je vragen en zorgen vinden rust in Mij.

Dus wees maar geborgen. Ik sta aan je zij.

Ik heb alles gegeven, wat jij niet verdient.

Ik wil in jou leven, want ik ben jouw Vriend.

2016-08-05T20:32:00.000+07:00

Cornelia Theresia Frederik-Suoth

1935-2016

I thought of you with love today but that is nothing new.

I thought of you yesterday and days before that too.

I think of you in silence as I often speak your name.

All I have are memories and your picture in a frame

Your memory is my keepsake with which I'll never part.

God has you in His keeping. I have you in my heart.

“It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.”
― Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

2015-06-29T20:00:00.000+07:00

A POWERFUL STORY ABOUT LIFE ITSELF.

“When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I’ve got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.Suddenly I didn’t know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. "I want a divorce." I raised the topic calmly. She didn’t seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly: "Why?" I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, "you are not a man!" That night, we didn’t talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn’t love her anymore. I just pitied her!

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn’t have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn’t want anything from me, but needed a month’s notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month’s time and she didn’t want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into our bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that every day for the month’s duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door every morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.

I told Jane about my wife’s divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.

My wife and I hadn’t had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, "daddy is holding mommy in his arms". His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; "don’t tell our son about the divorce". I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn’t looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn’t tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.Suddenly it hit me… she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.

Our son came in at the moment and said, "Dad, it’s time to carry mom out". To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, "I hadn’t noticed that our life lacked intimacy".

I drove to office…. jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind…I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, "Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore."She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. "Sorry, Jane", I said, "I won’t divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn’t value the details of our lives, not because we didn’t love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart." Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.

At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, "I’ll carry you out every morning until death do us apart."

That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed -dead. My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push through with the divorce.— At least, in the eyes of our son—- I’m a loving husband….

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves.So find time to be your spouse’s friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. If you are not in a relationship now, remember this for the second (or third) time around. It's never too late.

2015-06-24T22:11:00.000+07:00

~Words To Live By~

DREAMS

"A dream is in the mind of the believer,

and in the hands of the doer"

"You are not given a dream,

without being given the power to make it come true."

FRIENDSHIP

"A friend is someone who walks in when the

rest of the world walks out."

"True friends are like diamonds, precious

but rare."

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.

Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.

Just walk beside me and be my friend."

GOD

"God sometimes puts us in the dark for us to see the light."

"God is able to do immeasurable deeds."

"Where God guides, He always provides."

"God's help is only a prayer away."

"God without man is still God. Man without God is nothing."

"Prayer changes things."

LOVE

"Love is never having to say you are sorry."

"When you love a person, you are giving him,

the power to hurt you."

"Love is having to see more than what meets the eyes."

"You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back."

"True love is like ghosts,

which everybody talks about and few have seen."

THE FUTURE

"Heal the past; live the present; dream the future."

"Do not start today, with the broken pieces of Yesterday."

"Destiny is not a matter of chance.

It is a matter of choice: it is not a thing to be waited for,

it is a thing to be achieved."

LIFE

"Life will only come once, so make the most out of it."

"God didn't gave us all things to enjoy life,

but life to enjoy all things."

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

"Mistakes are not intended to down us

rather they make us stronger."

Why

2014-08-23T11:49:00.001+07:00

A Love Story

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah the beauty of
God's creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His
beautiful work.
As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me. He asked me, "Do you love
me?"
I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Savior

Then He asked,

"If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?" I was
perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and
wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do, the things that I took for
granted. And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."

Then the Lord said

"If you were blind, would you still love my creation?" How could I love
something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people
in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I
answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you."

The Lord then asked me,

"If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?" How could I listen to
anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely
using our
ears, but our hearts. I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen
to Your word."

The Lord then asked,

"If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?" How could I praise without
a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and
soul. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with
a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of
thanks. So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still
praise Your Name.

And the Lord asked,

"Do you really love Me"; With courage and a strong conviction, I answered
boldly, "Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!" I thought
I had answered well, but God asked, "THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?" I answered,
"Because I am only human. I am not perfect." "THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO
YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?"

No answers. Only tears.

The Lord continued:

"Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of
worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?"

The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

"Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in
times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on?
Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"

I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.

"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have
blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have
revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to
you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes
were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were
pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all."

"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?"

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no
excuse. What could I say to this? When I my heart had cried out and the tears
had flowed, I said, Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."

The Lord answered, " That is My Grace, My child."

I asked, " Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?"

The Lord answered,

"Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you. When
you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I
will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I
will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you
till the end of days, and I will love you forever."

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I
have hurt God as I had done?

I asked God, "How much do You love me?"

The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed
down at the feet of Christ, my Savior and for the first time, I truly prayed.

Author Unknown.

INVICTUS

2014-08-15T21:50:00.000+07:00

INVICTUS

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.

Victorian poem by the English poet William Ernest Henley (1849–1903)

A message

2014-08-10T14:01:00.000+07:00

Do not stand at my grave and weep

by Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep:

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starshine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry:

I am not there; I did not die.

Mother

2013-02-21T10:07:00.001+07:00

A moving story about a favorite person in anybody's life.

Give Time To Our Family

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, “I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.”

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. “What’s wrong, are you well?” she asked.

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. “I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,” I responded. “Just the two of us.” She thought about it for a moment, and then said, “I would like that very much.”

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel’s. “I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed, “she said, as she got into the car. “They can’t wait to hear about our meeting.”

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. “It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,” she said. “Then it’s time that you relax and let me return the favor,” I responded. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation – nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other’s life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, “I’ll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.” I agreed.

“How was your dinner date?” asked my wife when I got home. “Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,” I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn’t have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: “I paid this bill in advance. I wasn’t sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates – one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.”

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: “I LOVE YOU” and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till “some other time.”

— bersama Hima Sudha Gummadi dan Mary Lou Jison-Dela Cruz.

Thoughts

2012-09-02T00:02:00.000+07:00

Thoughts!!!

In a university commencement address several years ago, Brian Dyson, CEO of Coca Cola Enterprises, spoke of the relation of work to one's other commitments:

"Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air.

You name them work, family, health, friends and spirit - and you're

keeping all of these in the air.

You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball.

If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls - family, health, friends and spirit - are made of glass.

If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same.

You must understand that and strive for balance in your life."

How?

Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others.

It is because we are different that each of us is special.

Don't set your goals by what other people deem important.

Only you know what is best for you.

Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart.

Cling to them as they would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.

Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future.

By living your life one day at a time, you live ALL the days of your life.

Don't give up when you still have something to give.

Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect.

It is this fragile thread that binds us to each together.

Don't be afraid to encounter risks.

It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find.

The quickest way to receive love is to give it; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only where you've been, but also where you are going.

Don't forget, a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.

Don't be afraid to learn.

Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.

Don't use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved.

Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.

Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a Mystery and Today is a gift:

that's why we call it The Present.

My wish

2012-07-22T11:39:00.000+07:00

To my friends and family before my passing,

Send me flowers while I can see them.

Tell me you love me while I can hear it.

Kiss me while I am here to feel it.

Sing a song with me and not over me while I can sing it.

Stand with me and not at my grave while I am here to enjoy it.

Then when I am gone, do what you will with my body.

It is nothing but an empty shell.

If you want to find me, look to the heavens

For there my soul shall dwell

=Unknown=

Precious Memories

2012-03-16T15:13:00.000+07:00

Precious Memories

You can't buy precious memories

With silver or with gold,

They come to us without a price
As the years of life unfold.

I've longed for many things in life,

some with hidden thorns of pain.

Knowing what was best for me,
God sent both sunshine and rain

Hard times teach us to appreciate

Good times when they come along,

If all of life was fun and pleasure,
How could we ever grow strong?

God in His infinite wisdom

has given me many good years,

taught me to suffer with others,
to feel their sorrows and tears.

So if you want precious memories

As the years of life unfold,

Learn how to love one another,
It's worth more than silver or gold.

THE PARADOX OF OUR AGE

2012-02-25T22:06:00.000+07:00

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;
wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints;
we spend more, but have less;
we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families;
more conveniences, but less time;
we have more degrees, but less sense;
more knowledge, but less judgment;
more experts, but more problems;
more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much,
smoke too much,
spend too recklessly,
laugh too little,
drive too fast,

get too angry too quickly,
stay up too late,
get up too tired,

read too seldom,
watch TV too much,
and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom and lie too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life;
We've added years to life, not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space;

We've done larger things, but not better things;
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul;
We've split the atom, but not our prejudice;
We write more, but learn less;
We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait;
We have higher incomes; but lower morals;
We have more food but less appeasement;
We build more computers to hold more information,
to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication;
We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion;
tall men, and short character;
steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare;
more leisure and less fun;
more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are days of two incomes, but more divorce;
of fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips,
disposable diapers,
throwaway morality,
one-night stands,
overweight bodies,
and pills that do everything from cheer,
to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the show window
and nothing in the stockroom;
a time when technology can bring this letter to YOU,
and a time when you can CHOOSE either to make a difference,
or to just hit delete... choose delete, and you forfeit your right
to complain.
by Norris Peters

People in your life

2012-02-16T10:58:00.000+07:00

People Come Into Your Life For A Reason, A Season Or A Lifetime

When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON. . .
It is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty,
to provide you with guidance and support,
to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are!
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part,
or at an inconvenient time, this person will say
or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met,
our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered.
And now it is time to move on.

Then people come into your life for a SEASON....
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons
: things you must build upon in order to have
a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

My Son's Friend

2012-01-05T23:44:00.000+07:00

MY SON'S FRIEND

After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit and, before he gave his sermon for the evening, briefly introduced a guest minister who was in the service that evening. In the introduction, the pastor told the congregation that the guest minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service. With that , an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak.

"A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing of the Pacific coast, " he began, "when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to the shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept in the ocean as the boat capsized."

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story.

The aged minister continued with his story, "grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy he would throw the other end of the life line. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian and he also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. "As the father yelled out, "I love you son!" he threw out the lifeline to his son's friend. By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black of the night. His body was never recovered."

By this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old minister's mouth.

"The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son to save the son's friend. How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us. Our Heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten Son that we could be saved. I urge you to accept His offer to rescue you and take a hold of the life line He is throwing out to you in this service."

With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silenced filled the room.

The pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon with an invitation at the end. However, no one responded to the appeal.

With in minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. "That was a nice story," politely stated one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian,"

"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I am standing here today to tell you that story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me. You see ...... I was that father and your pastor is my son's friend."

What will God ask from you?

2011-10-16T10:37:00.001+07:00

God won't ask what kind of car you drove, but He'll ask how many people you helped get where they needed to go.

God won't ask the square footage of your house, but He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, but He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.

God won't ask how many friends you had, but He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, but He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.

God won't ask about the color of your skin, but He'll ask about the content of your character.

God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, but He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in Heaven, and not to the gates of hell.

The Carpenter

2011-10-16T10:28:00.000+07:00

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

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

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

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor. In fact, it's my younger brother!
Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

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

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day -- measuring, sawing and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all.

It was a bridge .. A bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all! And the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched..

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

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.
"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have many more bridges to build."

Unconditional Love

2010-10-08T18:59:00.002+07:00

Unconditional Love

A treasure to be cherished,

A gift from God above;

Is the beauty of a friendship,

Touched by unconditional love.

A love that asks no questions,

Believes in all the best;

Never doubting, ever trusting,

Withstanding any test.

A love that weathers any storm,

And yet that love still stands;

Through the very darkest hour,

It still reaches out a hand.

There in that hand the sweetest gift,

That you can give a friend;

A heart that cares, a love that shares,

That will be there till the end.

A treasure to be cherished,

A gift from God above;

Is what I share with you my friend,

An unconditional love.

This Poem was Graciously Donated by: Allison Chambers Coxsey

c1996

A friend

2010-09-26T13:20:00.000+07:00

Portrait of a Friend

I can't give solutions to all of life's problems, doubts, or fears. But I can listen to you, and together we can seek answers.
I can't change your past with all it's heartache and pain, nor the future with it's untold stories. But I can be there now when you need me to care.

I can't keep your feet from stumbling. I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall.

Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine. Yet I can share in your laughter and joy.

Your decisions in life are not mine to make, nor to judge. I can only support you, encourage you, and help you when you ask.

I can't give you boundaries which I have determined for you. But I can give you the room to change, room to grow, room to be yourself.

I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting. But I can cry with you and help you pick up the pieces and put them back in place.

I can't tell you who you are. I can only love you and be your friend.

.............Author Unknown

Forgiveness

2010-07-23T23:52:00.003+07:00

Forgiveness

A letter written to a man on death row by the Father of the man whom the man on death row had killed:
"You are probably surprised that I, of all people, am writing a letter to you, but I ask you to read it in its entirety and consider its request seriously. As the Father of the man whom you took part in murdering, I have something very important to say to you.
I forgive you. With all my heart, I forgive you. I realize it may be hard for you to believe, but I really do. At your trial, when you confessed to your part in the events that cost my Son his life and asked for my forgiveness, I immediately granted you that forgiving love from my heart. I can only hope you believe me and will accept my forgiveness.
But this is not all I have to say to you. I want to make you an offer -- I want you to become my adopted child. You see, my Son who died was my only child, and I now want to share my life with you and leave my riches to you. This may not make sense to you or anyone else, but I believe you are worth the offer. I have arranged matters so that if you will receive my offer of forgiveness, not only will you be pardoned for your crime, but you also will be set free from your imprisonment, and your sentence of death will be dismissed. At that point, you will become my adopted child and heir to all my riches.
I realize this is a risky offer for me to make to you -- you might be tempted to reject my offer completely -- but I make it to you without reservation.
Also, I realize it may seem foolish to make such an offer to one who cost my Son his life, but I now have a great love and an unchangeable forgiveness in my heart for you.
Finally, you may be concerned that once you accept my offer you may do something to cause you to be denied your rights as an heir to my wealth. Nothing could be further from the truth. If I can forgive you for your part in my Son's death, I can forgive you for anything. I know you never will be perfect, but you do not have to be perfect to receive my offer. Besides, I believe that once you have accepted my offer and begin to experience the riches that will come to you from me, that your primary (though not always) response will be gratitude and loyalty.
Some would call me foolish for my offer to you, but I wish for you to call me your Father.
Sincerely,
The Father of Jesus"

One

2010-07-21T11:55:00.001+07:00

ONE

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.

One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.

One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.

One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.

One life can make the difference,
You see it's up to "You"

Author Unknown