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A life that can never die;
A glory that can never be clouded;
A beauty that can never be marred;
A love that can never be fathomed;
A wisdom that can never be baffled;
A joy that can never be diminished;
A light that can never be darkened;
A purity that can never be defiled;
A rest that can never be disturbed;
A blessing that can never be counted;
A peace that can never be understood;
A hope that can never be disappointed;
A strength that can never be enfeebled;
A happiness that can never be interrupted;
A righteousness that can never be tarnished;
A salvation that can never be equaled by worldly wealth;
Resources that can never be exhausted.
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Inspirational Quotation:
"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."
A Blessed Lenten !!
A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye The pupil, iris and radiating lines look
just like the human eye...and YES science now shows that carrots greatly
enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.
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A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food.
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Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a
blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also profound
heart and blood vitalizing food.
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A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and
lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the
neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop over 3 dozen
neuron-transmitters for brain function.
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Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and
yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.
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Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and more look just like bones. These foods specifically
target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium.
If you don't have enough sodium in your diet the body pulls it from the
bones, making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the
body.
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Eggplant, Avocados and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that
when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted
birth weight and prevents cerv ic al cancers. And how profound is this? ....
It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit.
There are over 14,000 photolytic chemica l cons tituents of nutrition in
each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141
of them).
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Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the motility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.
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Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of
diabetics.
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Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries
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Grapefruits, Oranges, and Other Citrus fruits look just like the
mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.
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Onions look like body cells. Today's research shows that onions help
clear waste materials from all of the body cells They even produce tears
which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.
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Inspirational Quotation:
"The gifts showing forth our human love bespeak the gif from God above in Jesus."
Bible Verse: 1 John 3:17
"But if a man has this world's goods, and sees that his brother is in need, and keeps his heart shut against his brother, how is it possible for the love of God to be in him?" I just had to share this story with
you.
Two businessmen attend the funeral of a mutual
colleague.
One man says to the other, "How much did he
leave?"
The other responds, "He left it all."
Everyone leaves it all. And nobody on their death
bed wishes they spent more time acquiring more to
leave. But I think most people, when they look
into the eyes of their spouse for the last time,
realize that it's their marriage, the primary
relationship in their life, that is eternally
meaningful. Too many people realize in those
parting moments that they should have done things
differently.
We all know in the depths of our
heart what's really important in life. But we
forget and get distracted. Consider this short
story a gentle reminder to REFOCUS ON YOUR
MARRIAGE. Because at the end of your days, you'll
have a moment with your spouse that will define
the meaning of your life. It's only a moment, but
it takes a lifetime to prepare for it.
There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. WHEN YOU SAY THINGS IN ANGER, THEY LEAVE A SCAR JUST LIKE THIS ONE. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, THE WOUND IS STILL THERE. "
A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.
This is a true story that happened in Japan...
In order to renovate the house, someone in Japan Breaks open the wall.
Japanese houses normally have a hollow space between the wooden walls. When tearing down the walls, he found that there was a lizard stuck there because a nail from outside hammered into one of its feet. He sees this, feels pity, and at the same time curious, as when he checked the nail, it was nailed 10 years ago when the house was first built.
What happened?
The lizard has survived in such position for 10 years! In a dark wall partition for 10 years without moving, it is impossible and mind boggling. Then he wondered how this lizard survived for 10 years! without moving a single step--since its foot was nailed!
So he stopped his work and observed the lizard, what it has been doing, and what and how it has been eating. Later, not knowing from where it came, appears another lizard, with food in its mouth.
Ahh! He was stunned and touched deeply. For the lizard that was stuck by nail, another lizard has been feeding it for the past 10 years...
Such help! such a beautiful love! Such happened even with this tiny creature ... What can help do? It can do wonders!
Help can do miracles!
Imagine? it has been doing that untiringly for 10 long years, without giving up hope on its partner.
Think, will u do that to your partner ?
Think that will you do it to your Mom,
Who brought you after a big struggle of NINE long months ?
Or at least to your Dad, Friends , Coworkers, Brothers & and Sisters ?
Imagine what a small creature can do that a creature blessed with a brilliant mind can't.
I was touched when I heard this story and started wondering about relationships between family members, friends, coworkers, brothers, sisters.
As information and communication technology advances, our access to
information becomes faster and faster. But the distance between human
beings . . . is it getting closer as well?
TIME TO ACT...... SPREAD THE LOVE WITHIN.....SELFLESSLY
A man woke up early in order to have his morning devotion (prayer) in the
Lord's house (church). He got dressed, set on his way to the Lord's house. On
his way to the church, the man fell and his clothes got dirty. He got up,
brushed himself up, and headed home.
At home, he changed his clothes, and was, again, on his way to the Lord's
house. On his way to the church, he fell
again and at the same spot! He, again, got up, brushed himself off and
headed home. At home he, once again, changed his clothes and was on his way to
the Lord's house.
On his way to the church, he met a man holding a lamp. He asked the man of his
identity and the man replied 'I saw you fall twice on your way to the church, so I
brought a lamp so I can light your way. The first man thanked him profusely and
the two went on their way to the church. Once at the church, the first man asked
the man with the lamp to come in and pray with him. The second man refused. The
first man asked him a couple more times and, again, the answer was the same. The
first man asked him why he did not wish to come in and pray.
The man replied, 'I am Satan'. The man was shocked at this reply.
Satan went on to explain, 'I saw you on your way to the Church and it was
I who made you fall. When you went home, cleaned yourself and went back on our
way to the church, God forgave all of your sins. I made you fall a second time,
and even that did not encourage you to stay home, but rather, you went back on
your way to Church. Because of that, God forgave all the sins of the people of
your household.. I was afraid if I made you fall one more time, then God will
forgive the sins of the people of your village, so I made sure that you reached
the house of God (Church) safely.'
Do not put off the good you intended to do as you never know how much reward
you might receive from the hardships you encounter while trying to achieve that
good. For your righteousness can save your family and nation at large. Do this
and see the victory of the Lord.
Praise be to God in the highest.
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."
Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."
Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill, and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter," and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree the woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyar d." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one," and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.
The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had c ome to an end.
The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose, and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, al ways know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
Please keep this moving by passing it on so that He may inspire more people on the way. May your day be blessed. And until we meet again, may God cradle you in the palm of His hand.
A strong person works out every day to keep their body in shape.
A person of strength builds relationships to keep their soul in shape.
A strong person isn't afraid of anything.
A person of strength shows courage in the midst of their fear.
A strong person won't let anyone get the best of them.
A person of strength gives the best of themselves to everyone.
A strong person makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future.
A person of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be unexpected blessings and capitalizes on them.
A strong person wears a look of confidence on their face.
A person of strength wears grace.
A strong person has faith that they are strong enough for the journey.
A person of strength has faith that it is in the journey that they will become strong.
I believe -
. . . that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I believe -
. . . that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I believe -
. . . that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I believe -
. . . that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I believe -
. . . that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I believe -
. . . that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I believe -
. . . that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I believe -
. . . that you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I believe -
. . . that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I believe -
. . . that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I believe -
. . . That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I believe -
. . . that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I believe -
. . . that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I believe -
. . . that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I believe -
. . . that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I believe -
. . . that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I believe -
. . . that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I believe -
. . . that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I believe -
. . . that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I believe -
. . . that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I believe -
. . . two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I believe -
. . . that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I believe -
. . . that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
I believe -
. . . that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I believe -
. . . that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
I believe -
. . . that you should send this to all of the people that you believe in. I just did.
If you answered April 15, you’re way off.
Even the IRS’ strangle hold on your wallet is no match for the grip Cupid has on lovers who want to please and delight their significant others.
If the approaching holiday has you sweating, you’re not alone. Many surveys show lovers can be out touch with what the loves of their lives really want for Valentine’s Day.
And the consequences of a bad Valentine’s Day gift aren’t pretty. According to one survey, as many as six million people have broken up with someone on Valentine’s Day.
A survey conducted by Bill Me Later Inc. and Ipsos Insight reveals that men really are from Mars when it comes to knowing what their sweethearts want for Valentine’s Day.
More than 90 percent of the men polled said they would be giving a hug as part of their gift. Only 13 percent of the female respondents, however, said they wanted a hug. Twenty-two percent of men who intend to give gifts said they would give lingerie, but only 2 percent of the women surveyed want lingerie.
Flowers, the most coveted gift on the female list of desirable Valentine’s Day gifts, ranked second on the male gift-giving list. However, jewelry, which was the women’s second pick for most desired gift, only rated fifth on the men’s list.
Does all of this discord between men and women’s visions of the perfect Valentine’s Day cause any relationship damage?
It certainly does.
The difference in gender perception is probably a more significant problem than people imagine, according to Carolyn Kaufman, a clinical psychologist and an assistant professor at Columbus State Community College in Ohio.
The commercial expectations for Valentine’s Day are focused on women's ideals of love, and not men's.
“That means men are forced to do things that don't say love to them,” she said. “In fact, for men, (these gifts) may just (be) cheesy."
But there are some who don’t feel the pressure at all. Take Dan Parks, president and creative director of Corporate Planners Unlimited Inc.
He prepares a gift and card for both his wife and daughter for each day in the month of February. Parks starts collecting cards in June or July so he’s got everything in place when February rolls around.
Gathering 56 cards and 56 gifts may seem like a Herculean effort, but not to Parks. For him, “It is truly a labor of love,” he said.
Kaufman said expressions of love are clearly in the eyes of the beholder. Spending time together, taking walks, kissing, candle-lit dinners, hugging, holding hands, and making love are all signs of love to men.
Women, on the other hand, are much more focused on seeing love in the tokens associated with Valentine's Day, like flowers and surprise gifts.
A conflict develops between how a man wants to express his affection, and how he's being told to express it. Kaufman cautioned that, “If he does what he's expected to do, it may feel fake or forced to either or both partners. And that's not romantic.”
If you want to avoid feeling let down this Valentine’s Day, try following these three tips from Dr. Paulette Kouffman Sherman, psychologist and author of “Dating From The Inside-Out: Using The Law of Attraction in Matters of the Heart:”
1. If there is something special you’d like to do, be proactive and suggest it. Expecting him to read your mind is a set up for both of you.
2. Think of all the ways your partner is good to you. This should balance out your expectations around this one particular holiday.
3. Think of the legend of St. Valentine and the real meaning of Valentine’s Day. One legend says Valentine was a priest who served during the 3rd Century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young single men, Valentine continued to perform marriages in secret and was put to death. In another legend, Valentine actually sent the first “Valentine” after he fell in love with a girl while in prison. It is believed he signed the note, “From your Valentine.” St. Valentine’s focus was on his love for others, not on himself, according to Kouffman. So, choose to make this holiday romantic for your partner, instead of thinking about what should be done for you. This should take the pressure off.
Sherman added that it’s not the specific expectations around Valentine’s Day that matter, it’s feeling appreciated. “Let the other person know they matter to you in some way. And, also remember, one day does not signify the love given to you over the lifetime of your relationship.” One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't anymore. No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." Sometimes, what we care a bou t the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you."
So while we have it . it's best we love it and care for it and fix it when it's broken ... .. and heal it when it's sick. This is true for marriage . and old cars .. and children with bad report cards and dogs with bad hips and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.
Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.
Life is important, like people we know who are special. and so, We keep them close!
I received this from someone who thought I was a 'keeper'! Then I sent it to the people I think of in the same way. Now it's your turn to send this to all those people who are "keepers" in your life, including the person who sent it if you feel that way. Suppose one morning you never wak e u p , do all your friends know you love them?
I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.
Let every one of your! friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do.
And just in case GOD calls me home .
I LOVE YA!!!
I'm sssoooo glad
you're part of my life!
Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised.
1. When a winner commits a mistake he says "I
am wrong".
When a loser commits a mistake he says "It's
not my fault"
2. A winner works harder and has more time than
a loser.
A loser always is too busy to do what is
necessary.
3. A winner faces and solves his problems.
A loser does otherwise.
4. A winner compromises.
A loser makes promises.
5. A winner would say "I am good but not as good
as I want to be".
A loser would say "I am not as bad as the others"
6. A winner listens, understands and responds.
A loser only waits until it is his turn to speak.
7. A winner respects people who are superior to
him and would like to learn from them.
A loser does otherwise, and would try to find his
superiors' faults.
8. A winner is responsible not just for his own work.
A loser will not dare help others and would
say "I'm just doing my job."
9. A winner would say "There should be a better
way to do it."
A loser would say "This is the only way to do it."
10.A winner like you will share this with his friends.
A loser will just keep this to himself because he
doesn't have others to share this with.
1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6. You mean the world to someone.
7. You are special and unique.
8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.
11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
Whenever God Closes One Door He Always Opens Another, Even Though Sometimes It's Hell in the Hallway
I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here than a whole truck load when I'm gone.
The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn, arrived in early October excited about their opportunities. When they saw their church, it was very run down and needed much work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve.
They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc., and on December 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished. On December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days. On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high.
The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home. On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea-market- type sale for charity, so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory coloured, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross-embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.
By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later.
She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area.
Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was like a sheet. "Pastor," she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?" The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria.
The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told her how he had just gotten the Tablecloth. The woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria. When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. He was captured, sent to prison and never saw her husband or her home again.
The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church. The pastor insisted on driving her home that was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.
What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return.
One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighbourhood continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving.
The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike.
He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again all the 35 years in between.
The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier.
He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.
Who says God does not work in mysterious ways. I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for you today, to guide you and protect you as you go along your way. His love is always with you. His promises are true, and when we give Him all our cares you know He will see us through.
So when the road you're traveling on seems difficult at best, just remember I'm here praying and God will do the rest.
Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for?
THAT'S GOD! He speaks to you through the Holy Spirit
Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to
Talk to?
THAT'S GOD! He wants you to speak to Him.
Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a long time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call from them?
THAT'S GOD! There's no such thing as coincidence.
Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you wanted, but couldn't afford.
THAT'S GOD. . He knows the desires of your heart. .
Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it is going to get better, but now you look back on it?
THAT'S GOD! He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day.
In all that we do, we need to totally give HIM Thanks and our blessings will continue to multiply.
NOW THAT'S GOD!!!!!!!!
Don't tell GOD how Big your storm is.
Tell the storm how Big your GOD is!
Let me tell you a story... Three construction workers were on top of their half-finished skyscraper. Rrrrring!" the lunch bell sounded, and the three men sat on a steel beam jutting out of the 56th floor with their lunch boxes in hand.
The first guy opens his and groans in exasperation, "Tuyo!" There is not a day that I don't get tuyo for lunch!" He turns to his buddies and announces, "Mark my words. If I still get tuyo tomorrow, I'm going to throw myself from this building."
The second guy opens his lunch box and moans, "Tinapa". Everyday, I get tinapa!" He looks at his friends and declares, "Believe me when I say this. If I get tinapa tomorrow, I'm going to jump and kil! l myself."
The third guy opens his lunch box and it was his turn to despair. "Galunggong" . All I get is galunggong!" I'm telling you, if I still get galunggong tomorrow, I'm going to jump from this building and die."
The next day, the lunch bell rings and all three men are again seated on the 56th floor. The first guy opens his lunch box and starts crying, "Tuyoooooo!" And so he jumps and crashes on the ground.
The second guy opens his lunch box and wails loudly, "Tinapaaaa!" And he also hurls himself off the building and dies.
The third guy opens his lunch box and screams, "Galunggonggggg! " And so he too jumps off the building and splatters on the ground.
Days later, during the funeral of the three men, their three wives embrace and weep together. The first wife cries out, "I didn't know my husband didn't like tuyo anymore! Why didn't he tell me? If only he told me, I would have prepared something else."
The second wife echoes her statement, "Yes! If only I knew, I would have cooked something else, not tinapa!"
The third wife, between sobs, speaks up, "I don't know why my husband killed himself." The two wives look at her curiously.
"Why?"
She went on, "Because ... my husband prepares his own lunch everyday..."
I love this crazy story because it presents a very important truth: all of us prepare our own lunch. If we don't like our jobs, if we don't like the state of our relationships, if we don't like what's happening to our spiritual lives - we have no one to blame but ourselves. Because God has given us free will. He has given us the power to prepare our own lunch.
A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."
"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.
"No", she replied. "He's out."
"Then we cannot come in", they replied.
In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.
"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!"
The woman went out and invited the men in"
"We do not go into a House together," they replied.
"Why is that?" she asked.
One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."
The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!!", he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"
His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?"
Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"
"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his wife.
"Go out and invite Love to be our guest."
The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest."
Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?"
The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!!!!"
MY WISH FOR YOU...
-Where there is pain, I wish you peace and mercy.
-Where there is self-doubting, I wish you a renewed confidence in your ability to work through it.
-Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I wish you understanding, patience, and renewed strength.
-Where there is fear, I wish you love, and courage.
Let me tell you a crazy story I heard recently.There' s this husband who out of sheer love for his wife decided to prove it to her. So he swam the widest oceans, crossed the deepest rivers, and climbed the highest mountains to show his deep devotion to her. But in the end, she divorced him.
Why? Because he was never home.(Get it?)
Let me tell you an experience I had as a kid. One day, I asked Mom, "Why do my shoes keep eating my socks?" As a young boy, that was always a mystery for me. All my other classmates never had that problem. Their socks remained tight and high up their legs the entire day.
Mom didn't answer my question but simply gave me two rubber bands which I dutifully placed around the top of my socks. To this day, fifteen years later, I still have permanent circle marks around my legs. But aside from giving me this slight defect, the two bands worked like magic.
It never occurred to me that Dad and Mom didn't have the money to buy a new pair of socks for me. So I wore five-year-old socks, all soggy, grayish, and garter less. And yet amazingly, I never complained. I believe it was because Dad was always home when I needed him. Every night, after coming from work, we'd jog together, sit around, and talk about Tarzan, Farrah Fawcett Majors,God, and what I wanted to be when I grew up (a stockholder) . On Saturdays, we'd walk to Cubao, eat a hotdog-on-a- stick,and buy new rubber bands before going home.
I've learned that in truth, we don't want our loved ones to show their love for us in big ways. Swimming the widest oceans,crossing the deepest rivers, and climbing the highest mountains seem spectacular - but that's not what we really want. Deep in our hearts, we just want them home. With us.
Sometimes, God will operate that way. Suddenly, He decides not to answer our prayers, or fill our need, or heal our sickness, or give us the miracle we're asking for. (He's got reasons why He won't, and believe me - they're pretty good ones.) So He'll just be there beside you, holding you in a hug. Sharing your pain. Weeping as you weep. Oh, He might give you some rubber bands. And that small comfort from Him will be more than enough to sustain you. Because the most essential truth you already know.
....home.
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