You Better Slow Down

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round
Or listened to the rain lapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask "How are you?"
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done,
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last.

Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
'Cause you never had time
To call and say "Hi"?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away...
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

Thank You Lord

       
       Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes;
            we have plenty of food to eat.
        Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry;
            we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.
        And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds;
            they were so warm and comfortable last night.
            I know that many have no bed.
        My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom,
            complete with all the splattered mirrors,
            soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory;
            they are so convenient.
        Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator
            that needs cleaning.
           It has served us faithfully for many years.
           It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers
            for two or three meals.
        Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely
             must be cleaned today;
            It has baked so many things over the years.
        The whole family is grateful for that tall grass
            that we all enjoy the yard.
           My kids are healthy and able to run and play.
        Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says
            You have richly blessed my family.
            I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them     gratefully.
        Even though I clutch my blanket and growl
            when the alarm rings,
           Thank you, Lord, that I can hear.
            There are many who are deaf.
        Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light
            as long as possible,
           Thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.
        Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising,
           Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise.
           There are many who are bedridden.
        Even though the first hour of my day is hectic,
           when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short,
           my children are so loud,
           Thank you, Lord, for my family.
            There are many who are lonely.
        Even though our breakfast table never looks like
            the pictures in magazines 
           and the menu is at times not balanced,
           There are many who are hungry.
        Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous,
           Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work.
           There are many who have no job.
        Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day
           and wish my circumstances were not so modest,
           Thank you, Lord, for life.
       

It is good to be a woman:

 
1. We got off the Titanic first.
2. We can scare male bosses with the mysterious gynecological disorder excuses.
3. Taxis stop for us.
4. We don't look like a frog in a blender when dancing.
5. No fashion faux pas we make, could ever rival the Speedo.
6. We don't have to pass gas to amuse ourselves.
7. If we forget to shave, no one has to know.
8. We have the ability to dress ourselves.
9. We can talk to the opposite sex without having to picture them naked.
10. If we marry someone 20 years younger, we are aware that we will look like an idiot.
11. We will never regret piercing our ears.
12. There are times when chocolate r eally can solve all your problems.
13. We can make comments about how silly men are in their presence because they aren't listening anyway.

Send this to all the bright women you know and make their day!!!!!

 

   Right Now....    

       Somebody is very proud of you.
      Somebody is thinking of you.
      Somebody is caring about you.
      Somebody misses you.
      Somebody wants to talk to you.
      Somebody wants to be with you.
      Somebody hopes you aren't in trouble.
      Somebody is thankful for the support you have provided.
      Somebody wants to hold your hand.
      Somebody hopes everything turns out all right.
      Somebody wants you to be happy.
      Somebody wants you to find him/her.
      Somebody is celebrating your successes.
      Somebody wants to give you a gift.
      Somebody thinks that you ARE a gift.
      Somebody hopes you're not too cold, or too hot.
      Somebody wants to hug you.
      Somebody loves you.
      Somebody admires your strength.
      Somebody is thinking of you and smiling.
      Somebody wants to be your shoulder to cry on.
      Somebody wants to go out with you and have a lot of fun.
      Somebody thinks the world of you.
      Somebody wants to protect you.
      Somebody would do anything for you.
      Somebody wants to be forgiven.
      Somebody is grateful for your forgiveness.
      Somebody wants to laugh with you.
      Somebody remembers you and wishes that you were there.
      Somebody is praising God for you.
      Somebody needs to know that your love is unconditional.
      Somebody values your advice.
      Somebody wants to tell you how much they care.
      Somebody wants to share their dreams with you.
      Somebody wants to hold you in their arms.
      Somebody wants you to hold them in your arms.
      Somebody treasures your spirit.
      Somebody wishes they could stop time because of you.
      Somebody praises God for your friendship and love.
      Somebody can't wait to see you.
      Somebody loves you for who you are.
      Somebody loves the way you make them feel.
      Somebody wants to be with you.
      Somebody wants you to know they are there for you.
      Somebody is glad that you're his/her friend.
      Somebody wants to be your friend.
      Somebody stayed up all night thinking about you.
      Somebody is alive because of you.
      Somebody is wishing that you noticed him/her.
      Somebody wants to get to know you better.
      Somebody wants to be near you.
      Somebody misses your advice/guidance.
      Somebody has faith in you.
      Somebody trusts you.
      Somebody needs you to send them this letter.
      Somebody needs your support.
      Somebody needs you to have faith in them.
      Somebody will cry when they read this.
      Somebody needs you to let them be your friend.
      Somebody hears a song that reminds them of you.

 

Life Life is a mixture of sunshine and rain, Laughter and pleasure, teardrops and pain, All day can't be bright, but it's certainly true, There was never a cloud the sun didn't shine through So just keep on smiling whatever betide you, Secure in the knowledge God is always beside you, And you'll find when you smile your day will be brighter And all of your burdens will seem so much lighter— For each time you smile you will find it is true Somebody, somewhere will smile back at you, And nothing on earth can make life more worthwhile Than the sunshine and warmth of a beautiful smile. ~ Helen Steiner Rice ~

Reasons

 

If God answers your Prayers,

He is increasing ur Faith;

If He Delays,

He is increasing ur Patience;

If He doesn't answer,

He has sumtin Better for you!

 

Timing for the New Year

Words to live by

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height.

Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends.

The grouches pull you down. (keep this In mind if you are one of those
grouches;)

3. Keep learning:

Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening,

whatever. Never let the brain get idle.

"An idle mind is the devil's workshop."

And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and Lots of time
with HIM/HER.

6. The tears happen:

Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life,
is ourself. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love:

Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.

Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health:

If it is good, preserve it.

If it is unstable, improve it.

If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.

Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but
NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

And if you don't send this to at least four people - who cares?

But do share this with someone.

"Love all, trust a few. Do wrong to none". --William Shakespeare

Fw: Bake a cake on Christmas!

Tequila Christmas Cake

 Ingredients:

 1 cup of water
 1 tsp baking soda
 1 cup of sugar
 1 tsp salt
 1 cup of brown sugar
 Lemon juice
 4 large eggs
 Nuts
 1 bottle tequila
 2 cups of dried fruit

Sample the tequila to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the tequila again. To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it's best to make sure the tequila is still OK. Try another cup...just in
 case. Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the frigging fruit up off floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the tequila to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something. Check the tequila. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window. Finish the tequila and wipe counter with the cat.

CHERRY MISTMAS!

 

The Best Prayer I Have Heard In A Long Time...

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.
 
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love.

It is not enough to share love with those we hold dear.

Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. 
 
Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.
 
Amen
 

 

You Are Cordially Invited To A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Guest of Honor:  Jesus Christ
 
Date:   Every day.  Traditionally December 25, but He's always around, so the date is flexible..

Time:   Whenever you're ready, (please don't be too late, though; or you'll miss out on all the fun!!)..

Place:  In your heart ... He'll meet you there (you'll hear Him knock)..
 
Attire: Come as you are ...grubbies are okay.  He'll be washing our clothes anyway.  He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last..

Tickets: Admission is free. He's already paid for everyone..(He says you would not have been able to afford it ...it cost Him everything He had!!)..

 
Refreshments:  New wine, bread and a far-out drink He calls "living water, followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!!
 
Gift Suggestions:  Your heart.  He's one of those people who already has everything else.  (He's very generous in return though; just wait until you see what He has for you)..
 
Entertainment:  Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise, and much more! (All rated "G" so bring your family and friends)..
 
R.S.V.P. Very Important! He must know ahead so He can reserve a spot for you at the table.  Also, he's keeping a list of His friends for future reference.  He calls it the "Lamb's Book of Life").
 
Party Being Given By His Kids (That's us)
 
Hope To See You There!
 
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.  Fine linen, bright    and clean, was given her to wear."  (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) ... 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' .."

-- Author Unknown
 

Daily Insight

There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life -- happiness, freedom, and peace of mind -- are always attained by giving them to someone else.
   
Peyton Conway March

Do I Have Enough?

I was doing some last-minute Christmas shopping in a toy store and decided to look at Barbie dolls for my nieces. A nicely-dressed little girl was excitedly looking through the Barbie dolls as well, with a roll of money clamped tightly in her little hand. When she came upon a Barbie she liked, she would turn and ask her father if she had enough money to buy it. He usually said "yes," but she would keep looking and keep going through their ritual of "do I have enough?"

 

As she was looking, a little boy wandered in across the aisle and started sorting through the Pokemon toys. He was dressed neatly, but in clothes that were obviously rather worn, and wearing a jacket that was probably a couple of sizes too small. He, too, had money in his hand, but it looked to be no more than five dollars or so, at the most. He was with his father as well, and kept picking up the Pokemon video toys. Each time he picked one up and looked at his father, his father shook his head, "no." The little girl had apparently chosen her Barbie, a beautifully-dressed, glamorous doll that would have been the envy of every little girl on the block.

 

However, she had stopped and was watching the interchange between the little boy and his father. Rather dejectedly, the boy had given up on the video games and had chosen what looked like a book of stickers instead. He and his father then started walking through another aisle of the store. The little girl put her Barbie back on the shelf, and ran over to the Pokemon games. She excitedly picked up one that was lying on top of the other toys, and raced toward the check-out, after speaking with her father.

 

I picked up my purchases and got in line behind them. Then, much to the little girl's obvious delight, the little boy and his father got in line behind me. After the toy was paid for and bagged, the little girl handed it back to the cashier and whispered something in her ear. The cashier smiled and put the package under the counter. I paid for my purchases and was rearranging things in my purse when the little boy came up to the cashier. The cashier rang up his purchases and then said, "Congratulations, you are my hundredth customer today, and you win a prize!"

With that, she handed the little boy the Pokemon game, and he could only stare in disbelief. It was, he said, exactly what he had wanted!

 

The little girl and her father had been standing at the doorway during all of this, and I saw the biggest, prettiest, toothless grin on that little girl that I have ever seen in my life. Then they walked out the door, and I followed, close behind them.

 

As I walked back to my car, in amazement over what I had just witnessed, I heard the father ask his daughter why she had done that. I'll never forget what she said to him. "Daddy, didn't Nana and PawPaw want me to buy something that would make me happy?" He said, "Of course they did, honey." To which the little girl replied, "Well, I just did!" With that, she giggled and started skipping toward their car. Apparently, she had decided on the answer to her own question of, "do I have enough?"

 

I feel very privileged to have witnessed the true spirit of Christmas in that toy store, in the form of a little girl who understands more about the reason for the season than most adults I know! May God bless her and her parents, just as she blessed that little boy, and me, that day!

Why We Love Kids

*NUDITY*

I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening when a
woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark
naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old shout from
the back seat, "Mom! That lady isn't wearing a seat belt!"

*HONESTY*

My son Zachary, 4, came screaming out of the bathroom to tell me he'd
dropped his toothbrush in the toilet. So I fished it out and threw it in
the garbage. Zachary stood there thinking for a moment, then ran to my
bathroom and came out with my toothbrush. He held it up and said with a
charming little smile, "We better throw this one out too then, 'cause it
fell in the toilet a few days ago.

*OPINIONS*

On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his teacher a note from
his mother. The note read, "The opinions expressed by this child are not
necessarily those of his parents."

*KETCHUP*

A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup to come out of the jar. During
her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer
the phone. "It's the minister, Mommy," the child said to her mother. Then
she added, "Mommy can't come to the phone to talk to you right now. She's
hitting the bottle."

*MORE NUDITY*

A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's locker
room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies
grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement
and then asked, "What's the matter haven't you ever seen a little boy
before?"

*POLICE NO. 1*

While taking a routine vandalism report at an elementary school, I was
interrupted by a little girl about 6 years old. Looking up and down at my
uniform, she asked, "Are you a cop?" "Yes," I answered and continued
writing the report.

"My mother said if I ever needed help I should ask the police. Is that
right?" "Yes, that's right," I told her.

"Well, then," she said as she extended her foot toward me, "would you
please tie my shoe?"

*POLICE NO. 2*

It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the
station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking, and
I saw a little boy staring in at me. "Is that a dog you got back there?" he
asked. "It sure is," I replied. Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then
towards the back of the van. Finally he said, "What'd he do?"

*ELDERLY*

While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly
shut-ins, I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She
was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age,
particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs. One day I found her
staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for
the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, "The
tooth fairy will never believe this!"

*DRESS-UP*

A little girl was watching her parents dress for a party. When she saw her
dad donning his tuxedo, she warned, "Daddy, you shouldn't wear that suit."
"And why not, darling?" "You know that it always gives you a headache the
next morning."

*DEATH*

While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister heard
the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt.

Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin.
Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small
box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of
the deceased. The minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers
and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father
always said: "Glory be unto the Faaaather, and unto the Sonnn..and into the
hole he gooooes."

*SCHOOL*

A little girl had just finished her first week of school. "I'm just wasting
my time," she said to her mother. "I can't read, I can't write and they
won't let me talk!"

*BIBLE*

A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered
through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked
up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been
pressed in between the pages. "Mama, look what I found", the boy called
out." What have you got there, dear?" With astonishment in the young boy's
voice, he answered, "I think it's Adam's underwear!"

Thoughts to Ponder

Life is sexually transmitted.

Good Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.

Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.

Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut saves you thirty cents?

In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.

I had amnesia once -- or twice.

Protons have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic.

All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.

If the world were a logical place, men would ride horses sidesaddle.

What is a "free" gift? Aren't all gifts free?

They told me I was gullible .. and I believed them.

Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home and, when he grows up, he'll never be able to merge his car onto a freeway.

Two can live as cheaply as one, for half as long.

Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone.

What if there were no hypothetical questions?

One nice thing about egotists: They don't talk about other people.

A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.

I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.

The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity.

Is Marx's tomb a communist plot?

Show me a man with both feet firmly on the ground, and I'll show you a man who can't get his pants off.

It's not an optical illusion. It just looks like one.

Is it my imagination or do buffalo wings taste like chicken?

LOVE according to kids...

Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouth of babes. 

What does Love mean? A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think …

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca- age 8 
---------------------------------
"When someone loves you, the  way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."  Billy - age 4   
---------------------------------
"Love is when a girl puts on  perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each  other." Karl - age 5 
---------------------------------
"Love is when you go out to  eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you  any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6     
---------------------------------
"Love is what makes you smile  when you're tired." Terri - age  4     
---------------------------------
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."  Danny -  age 7     
---------------------------------
"Love is when you kiss all  the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss" Emily - age 8     
---------------------------------
"Love is what's in the room  with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."  Bobby - age 7 (Wow!) 

---------------------------------
"If you want to learn to love  better, you should start with a friend who you hate," Nikka - age 6 (we need a  few million more Nikka's on this planet)    
---------------------------------
"Love is when you tell a guy  you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle -

age 7 

---------------------------------
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6
---------------------------------
"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." Cindy - age 8 

---------------------------------
"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - age 6    
--------------------------------- 

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine-age 5     
---------------------------------
"Love is when Mommy sees  Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert  Redford." Chris - age 7     
---------------------------------
"Love is when your puppy  licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4     
---------------------------------
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new  ones."   Lauren - age 4     
---------------------------------
"When you love somebody, your  eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." (what an image)  Karen - age 7     
---------------------------------
"Love is when Mommy sees  Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark - age 6    
---------------------------------
"You really shouldn't say 'I  love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot.  People forget." Jessica - age 8     
---------------------------------
And the final one -- Author  and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to  judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.

The winner was a four-year-old child whose next-door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the  man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his  lap, and just sat there. When his Mother  asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,  "Nothing, I just  helped him cry"    
---------------------------------
When there is nothing left  but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

BE NOT LEAD ASTRAY...

 

Just up the road from the Arp Family's home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse.

But if one stops the car, or is walking by, one will notice something quite amazing.
Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.

Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.

As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is trusting that she will not lead him astray.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by God and those whom he places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see God.