The
Center of The Bible:
Submitted by Vern & Sue Weimer
What is the shortest chapter in
the Bible?
Answer - Psalms 117
What is the longest chapter in
the Bible?
Answer - Psalms 119
Which chapter is in the center
of the Bible?
Answer - Psalms 118
Fact: There are 594 chapters before
Psalms 118.
Fact: There are 594 chapters after
Psalms 118.
Add these numbers up and you get
1188.
What is the center verse in the
Bible?
Answer - Psalms 118:8
Does this verse say something significant
about God's perfect will for our lives? The next time someone says they
would like to find God's perfect will for their lives and that they want
to be in the center of His will, just send them to the center of His Word!
Psalms 118:8 (NKJV) "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence
in man."
Now isn't that odd how this worked
out (or was God in the center of it)? TOP
INDEX
No
Coincidence:
Submitted by Alfred Baca
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 talk to him.
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
talks to you through the Holy Spirit.
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 is 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...
Please pass this along and share the Power of God...In
all that we do, we should totally give HIM thanks and our blessings will
continue to multiply.
HAVE A GOOD DAY
TOP INDEX
Food for your Spirit
~~
From In His Image Newsletter ~~ Author unknown
He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and
The Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and
The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and Donahue can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and
His mind is on me.
He is my Redeemer,
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and
He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
The power of the powerful,
The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers,
The leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and The sovereign
Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
Never forsake me,
Never mislead me,
Never forget me,
Never overlook me, and Never cancel my appointment in His appointment
book!
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody, everywhere,
Every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side, and That means all is well with
my soul.
Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!
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IMPORTANT! -
Recall Notice:
Submitted by Stacey White
RECALL NOTICE IMPORTANT!
The maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured,
regardless of make or year, due to the serious defect in the primary and
central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original
prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction
of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically
termed, 'Subsequential Internal Non-Morality', or more commonly known as
S-I-N, as it is primarily symptomized.
Some other symptoms:
[a] Loss of direction
[b] Foul vocal emissions
[c] Amnesia of origin
[d] Lack of peace and joy
[e] Selfish, or violent, behavior
[f] Depression or confusion in the mental component
[g] Fearful
[h] Idolatry
The manufacturer, who is neither liable or at fault for
this defect, is providing factory authorized repair and service, free of
charge to correct this SIN defect. The number to call for the recall station
in your area is:
P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your burden
on SIN by R-E-P-E-N-T-A-N-C-E. Next, download J-E-S-U-S into the heart.
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, the JESUS repair will replace
it with:
[a] Love
[b] Joy
[c] Peace
[d] Long-suffering
[e] Gentleness
[f] Goodness
[g} Faith
[h] Meekness
[i] Temperance
Please see operating manual, HOLY BIBLE, for further details
on the use of these fixes.
WARNING: Continuing to operate the human unit without
correction, voids the manufacturer's warranty, exposing owner to dangers
and; problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being
permanently impounded.
For free emergency service, call on J-E-S-U-S.
DANGER: The human units not receiving this recall action
will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect must not enter
heaven or else heaven will be infected.
Author: The Creator
TOP INDEX
Adversity:
Submitted by Patti
A daughter complained to her father about her life and how things were so
hard for her. She did not how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.
She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a
new one arose.
Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water
and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In one he placed
carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and the last he placed ground coffee
beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
The daughter sucked her teeth and impatiently waited, wondering what he was
doing. In about twenty minutes he and turned off the burners. He fished the
carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them a
bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her he
asked. "Darling, what do you see."
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted
that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After
pulling off the shell, she observed the hard- boiled egg. Finally, he asked her
to sip the coffee. She smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
She humbly asked. "What does it mean Father?"
He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity, boiling water,
but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting.
But after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The
egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior.
But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The
ground coffee beans were unique however. After they were in the boiling water,
they had changed the water.
"Which are you," he asked his daughter. "When adversity knocks
on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?
"
---------------
How about you? Are you the carrot that seems hard, but with pain and
adversity do you wilt and become soft and lose your strength? Are you the egg,
which starts off with a malleable heart? Were you a fluid spirit, but after a
death, a breakup, a divorce, or a layoff have you become hardened and stiff.
Your shell looks the same, but are you bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and
heart? Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean changes the hot water, the
thing that is bringing the pain, to its peak flavor reaches 212 degrees
Fahrenheit. When the water gets the hottest, it just tastes better. If you are
like the coffee bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and make
things better around you .
When people talk about you, do your praises to the Lord increase? When the
hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, does your worship elevate to
another level?
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee
bean? ~~author unknown~~
TOP INDEX
"Your Cross"
A young man
was at the end of his rope; seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in
prayer. "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear."
The Lord replied, "My son, if you
can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then, open that
other door and pick out any cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief and
said, "Thank you Lord," and he did as he was told.
Upon entering the other room, he saw
many crosses; some so large the tops were not visible.
Then, he spotted a tiny cross
leaning against a far wall. "I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered.
The Lord replied, "My son, that is
the cross you just brought in."
When life's problems seem
overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are coping
with. You may consider yourself far more fortunate than you imagined.
Whatever your cross, whatever your
pain, there will always be sunshine after the rain. Perhaps you may stumble,
perhaps even fall, but God is always there to help you through it all.
God bless you today and always!
TOP INDEX
I have in my hands two boxes which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black,
And all your joys in the gold."
I heeded His words, and in the two boxes
Both my joys and sorrows I stored
But though the gold became heavier each day
The black was as light as before
With curiosity, I opened the black
I wanted to find out why
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole
Which my sorrows had fallen out by
I showed the hole to God, and mused aloud,
"I wonder where my sorrows could be."
He smiled a gentle smile at me."
"My child, they're all here with me."
I asked, "God, why give me the boxes,
Why the gold, and the black with the hole?"
"My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings,
The black is for you to let go." Author Unknown
TOP INDEX
The Passenger
The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young
woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the
driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the
aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty. Then she settled in, placed
her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg.
It had been a year since Susan, thirty-four, became blind. Due to a medical
misdiagnosis, she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into
a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. Once a fiercely
independent woman, Susan now felt condemned by this terrible twist of fate to
become a powerless, helpless burden on everyone around her. "How could this have
happened to me?" she would plead, her heart knotted with anger. But no matter
how much she cried or ranted or prayed, she knew the painful truth-her sight was
never going to return. A cloud of depression hung over Susan's once optimistic
spirit. Just getting through each day was an exercise in frustration and
exhaustion. And all she had to cling to was her husband Mark.
Mark was an Air Force officer, and he loved Susan with all of his heart. When
she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to
help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent
again. Mark's military background had trained him well to deal with sensitive
situations, and yet he knew this was the most difficult battle he would ever
face.
Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there?
She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by
herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked
at opposite ends of the city. At first, this comforted Susan and fulfilled
Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing
the slightest task. Soon, however, Mark realized that this arrangement wasn't
working - it was hectic, and costly. Susan is going to have to start taking the
bus again, he admitted to himself. But just the thought of mentioning it to her
made him cringe. She was still so fragile, so angry. How would she react?
Just as Mark predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus
again. "I'm blind!" she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I'm
going? I feel like you're abandoning me." Mark's heart broke to hear these
words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and
evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got
the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened.
For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and
from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically
her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment.
He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her
a seat. He made her laugh, even on those not-so-good days when she would trip
exiting the bus, or drop her briefcase. Each morning, they made the journey
together, and Mark would take a cab back to his office. Although this routine
was even more costly and exhausting than the previous one, Mark knew it was only
a matter of time before Susan would be able to ride the bus on her own. He
believed in her, in the Susan he used to know before she'd lost her sight, who
wasn't afraid of any challenge and who would never, ever quit. Finally, Susan
decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived,
and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus riding
companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of
gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, his love. She said good-bye, and for
the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday...Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better.
She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself!
On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying for
her fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure envy you." Susan wasn't
sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would
ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for
the past year? Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do you say that you envy me?"
The driver responded, "It must feel so good to be taken care of and protected
like you are." Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, and asked
again, "What do you mean?" The driver answered, "You know, every morning for the
past week, a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing
across the corner watching you when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross
the street safely, and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then
he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky
lady."
Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For although she couldn't
physically see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was blessed, so
blessed, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't
need to see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light where there had
been darkness.
God watches over us in just the same way. We may not know He is present. We
may not be able to see His face, but He is there nonetheless!
My Wish For You Today! Is To Be blessed in this thought: "God
Loves You - even when you are not looking."
TOP INDEX
God Can
When you feel unlovable, unworthy and
unclean,
When you think that no one can heal
you,
Remember, Friend,
God Can.
When you think that you are
unforgivable
For your guilt and your shame
Remember, Friend,
God Can.
When you think that all is hidden
And no one can see within
Remember, Friend,
God Can.
And when you have reached the bottom
And you think that no one can hear
Remember my dear Friend,
God Can.
And when you think that no one can
love
The real person deep inside of you
Remember my dear Friend,
God Does. - Author unknown
TOP INDEX
Hearing God’s Voice
A young man had been to
Wednesday night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and
obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God
still speak to people?" After service he went out with some friends for coffee
and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how
God had led them in different ways.
It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just
began to pray, "God...If you still speak to people speak to me. I will listen. I
will do my best to obey." As he drove down the main street of his town, he had
the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and
said out loud, God is that you?" He didn't get a reply and started on toward
home. But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk. The young man thought about
Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran
to Eli. "Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk." It didn't seem
like too hard a test of obedience.
He could always use the milk.
He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home. As he
passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, "Turn down that street. This is crazy he
thought and drove on past the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn
down Seventh Street. At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half
jokingly, he said out loud, "Okay, God, I will".
He drove several blocks, when
suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked
around. He was in semi commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't
the worst of neighborhoods either the businesses were closed and most of the
houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed
something, "Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street."
The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people
were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and
then sat back in the car seat.
"Lord, this is insane. Those
people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will
look stupid." Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he
opened the door, "Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will
give them the milk If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to
be obedient. I guess that will count for something but if they don't answer
right away, I am out of here. "He walked across the street and rang the bell. He
could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, "Who is it? What do you
want?" Then the door opened before the young man could get away. The man was
standing there in his jeans and T- shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed.
He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some
stranger standing on his doorstep.
"What is it?" The young man
thrust out the gallon of milk , "Here, I brought this to you. "The man took the
milk and rushed down a hallway speaking loudly in Spanish. Then from down the
hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following
her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his
face. The man began speaking and half crying, "We were just praying. We had some
big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our
baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk." His
wife in the kitchen yelled out, "I asked Him to send an Angel with some. Are you
an Angel?"
The young man reached into his
wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He
turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his
face. He knew that God still answers prayers.
TOP INDEX
The Dash
I
read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years. (1934 - 1998)
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars...the house...the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile...
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash? - © 1997, 1998, 1999 by
Linda Ellis
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If Jesus Came To Visit You
If Jesus came to visit would
you have to
change your clothes before you let Him in?
Or hide some magazines, and put the Bibles where they'd been?
Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
And I wonder if the Saviour
spent a day or two with you,
would you go right on doing, the things you always do?
Would you go right on
saying, the things you always say?
Or would life for you continue as it does from day to day?
Would you take Jesus with
you everywhere you go?
Or would you maybe change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him meet your closest friends?
Or would you hope they stay away until His visit ends?
Would you be glad to have Him
stay forever on and on?
Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know, the things that you would do,
If Jesus came in person, to spend some time with you.
TOP INDEX
The Will Of God
The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.
The Will Of God
The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.
"Everything happens for a purpose. We may not see the
wisdom of it all now, but trust and believe in
the Lord that everything is for the best."
The way to be anxious about nothing is
to be prayerful about everything.
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It Is No Secret
The chimes of time ring out the news,
Another day is through.
Someone slipped and fell.
Was that someone you?
You may have longed for added strength,
Your courage to renew.
Do not be disheartened,
For I have news for you.
It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.
There is no night, for in His light,
You never walk alone.
Always feel at home,
Wherever you may go.
There is no power can conquer you
While God is on your side.
Take Him at His promise,
Don't run away and hide.
It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do. ~ Author Unknown ~
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Stairway To Heaven
To climb the stairway to Heaven
And stay upon the road
Can sometimes be quite difficult
For life brings a heavy load.
Temptation opens many doors
And a blind eye you must turn
Be true to yourself and others
And the joys of life you'll learn.
A new day brings another chance
To change the life you've led
So don't give up, stay on the path
That stairway is straight ahead. ~Author Charlotte Anselmo
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