Inspirational Poem

Bend In The Road

When we feel we have nothing left to give
And we are sure that the song has ended,
When our day seems over and the shadows fall
And the darkness of night has descended,

Where can we go to find the strength
To valiantly keep on trying?
Where can we find the hand that will dry
The tears that the heart is crying?

There's but one place to go and that is to God,
And dropping all pretence and pride,
We can pour out our problems without restraint
And gain strength with Him at our side.

And together we stand at life's cross roads
And view what we think is the end,
But God has a much bigger vision,
And He tells us it's only a bend.


For the road goes on and is smoother,
And the pause in the song is a rest,
And the part that's unsung and unfinished
Is the sweetest and richest and best.

So rest and relax and grow stronger
Let go and let God share your load.
Your work is not finished or ended
You've just come to a bend in the road.

Helen Steiner Rice~

Inspirational Bible Verse

"And Jesus said unto them ... , "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to younder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you."
Romans 1:17

Today's Motivational Quote

If we did all the things that we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.

Thomas Edison

Inspiring and Motivating Story

DREAMS

A wonderful motivational story for any age…..

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that that lit up her entire being.

She said, "Hi, handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?" I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze.

"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked.

She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, have a couple of children, and then retire and travel."

"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know."

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began: "We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. "You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!"

"There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change."

"Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."

She concluded her speech by courageously singing The Rose. She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the years end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

Lessons:

1. You are never too old to learn.

2. Laugh and find humor everyday .

3. Don't let change overwhelm you, let change help you find opportunities you may have never seen!

Advice

Do you have a dream, a wish, then turn it into a goal today - break it down, take one step, then another and accomplish your dream. -- Catherine Pulsifer

Today's Motivational Quote

The hardest challenge is to be yourself in a world
where everyone is trying to make you be somebody else.


-- E. E. Cummings

Inspirational Poem

Do Not Quit

When things go wrong,
as they sometimes will,
When the road your trudging
Seems all uphill,

When the funds are low
And the debts are High ,
And you want to smile,
but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with it's twists and turns,
As everyone of us must sometimes learn,
And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out,
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you can never tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worst that you cannot quit.

Author Unknown

Lemonade Award!

Karen, at Zemeks recently nominated me for the Lemonade Award. I appreciate the nomination, thank you so much. The Lemonade Award is for sites that show gratitude and a wonderful attitude. I think that’s a good group to belong to!

Rules for the award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Nominate your favorites and link to this post.

My Choices for the Award:

Magnolia Blossom Art
Dolly's Daily Diary
Christ-faith defenders
My Christian Diary
Restaurant Kitchen Report for St. Louis Missouri
Start Your Own Blog
The Ramblings of Courtney
Foodarrific
Blackholes and Astrostuff
CooKinGs' FuN

Food For Thought...

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough,

and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity.

It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,

and creates a vision for tomorrow."

~ Author Unknown

Quote of the Day

"If God brings you to it,
He will bring you through it."

Author Unknown

God never gives us more than we can handle and with His Grace, we can overcome all obstacles. We can do nothing of ourselves, but with God, all things are possible and God would not ever leave us...
I always love the "Footprints" poem and it certainly applies here....
He may bring us through it by carrying us, if we but trust in Him.

Footprints in the Sand Poem

Last night I had a dream. I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonged to me, the other to the Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it. “Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, You’d walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”

The Lord replied, “My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of suffering, when you could see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

Famous Motivational Quote of the Day

Don't be afraid to fail because only through failure do you learn to succeed.

Unknown

Food for Thought

Think About this

Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight;
Just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.

Should you find yourself stuck in traffic; don't despair.
There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work;
Think of the man who has been out of work for the last three months.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad;
Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend;
Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for -15.00 to feed her family.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance;
Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror;
Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking "what is my purpose";
Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities;
Remember, things could be worse. You could be them!!!

Should you decide to send this to a friend;
You might brighten someone's day!

Bible verses for Encouragement

What does the Bible say about finding encouragement from God?
There are many Bible verses for encouragement. Consider these:

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:13-14

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." – Revelation 21:3-4

But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. – John 16:7

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." – John 14:1-4

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. – Psalm 42:5-6a

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. - 1 Peter 1:3

Bible Verse

John 3:16 (King James Version)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Today's Motivational Quote

If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.

Author Unknown

Short Funny Story

This one is quite funny! Enjoy! :)

Wrong E-Mail

It's wise to remember how easily email -- this wonderful technology -- can be misused, sometimes unintentionally, with serious consequences. Read this short funny story

---

An Illinois man who left the snow-filled streets of Chicago for a vacation in Florida. His wife was on a business trip and was planning to meet him there the next day. When he reached his hotel, he decided to send his wife a quick email.

Unfortunately, when typing her address, he missed one letter, and his note was directed instead to an elderly preacher's wife whose husband had passed away only the day before. When the grieving widow checked her email, she took one look at the monitor, let out a piercing scream, and fell to the floor in a dead faint.

At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen:

Dearest Wife,
Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow.

P.S. Sure is hot down here.

Delilah

For several years now Delilah has been a favorite of mine! Listening to her on the radio and all the requests and dedications are such an inspiration to me. I'd like to share one of my Newsletters that I received from her today. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks very much for stopping by.
Have a wonderful day! :)

Music Monday - January 12, 2009 It's the New Year and changes are occurring. The inauguration of a new president is coming up. People are generally adopting a new attitude about lifestyle; making an effort to conserve, reduce and recycle in this tough economy. I think it's also time to commit to doing more good and incorporating random, unsolicited acts of kindness into your life. You would probably recognize the song "Give A Little Bit" originally recorded by a band from the '70s called Supertramp and made popular again by the Goo Goo Dolls a few years ago. I like both versions for the upbeat rhythm, and now more than ever, for lyrics we need to hear... Give a little bit Give a little bit of your love to me Give a little bit I'll give a little bit of my love to you There's so much that we need to share So send a smile and show you care I'll give a little bit I'll give a little bit of my life for you So give a little bit Give a little bit of your time to me See the man with the lonely eyes Take his hand, you'll be surprised Try to commit to doing one act of kindness this week, one nice thing for somebody without taking credit for it. It could be something as simple as paying for coffee for the person in line behind you. It could be rushing ahead to hold the door for an elderly person. It could be shoveling snow from your neighbor's sidewalk while you're outside shoveling yours. Do something simple, then simply walk away with that happy feeling that comes from doing it.

If you enjoyed this newsletter then please visit the following website: www.delilah.com to sign up for more wonderful and inspiring articles from Delilah.

Today's Motivational Quote

It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.

---Lena Horne

A Poem for Encouragement

Inspirational Poem

Never Give Up

In that dark lonesome place
between a dream dreamed
and a dream realized,

I have left a little light for you
so you will know that someone cares
and believes in your dream.

Just where it becomes the most dark
and difficult to find your way,
there is the light I left for you.

It will light your way,
through the doubt, the confusion,
and the fears,

It will stay with you
all the way to the realization
of your dream.

And when your dream has come true,
please go back to that darkest place
where you have been,

And set the little light there to give heart
to the next sweet soul that braves the path
to his or her dreams.

Dreamers are the architects of greatness.
There wisdom lies within their souls.
Dream long enough and hard enough
and your dream can be attained.

--- Unknown Author

I thought these were really cute!

Kids Letters to God

PUZZLEMENTS, DILEMMAS, AND OTHER IMPONDERABLES

In Sunday School they told us what you do. Who does it when you are on vacation? Jane

How did you know you were God? Charlene

Dear God, I read the bible. What does begat mean? Nobody will tell me. Love Alison

Dear God, On halloween I am going to wear a devil's costume. Is that all right with you? Marnie

Dear God. Are you really invisible or is that just a trick? Lucy

Dear God, Is it true my father won't get in heaven if he uses his bowling words in the house? Anita

Dear God, Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident. Norma

Dear God. Who draws the lines around the countries? Nan

Dear God, Do animals use you or is there somebody else for them? Nancy

Dear God, I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church. Is that ok? Neil

Dear God I like the Lords prayer best of all. Did you have to write it alot or did you get it right the first time? I have to write everything I ever write over again. Lois

God, It's o.k. that you made different religions but don't you get mixed up some-times. Arnold

Dear God In bible times did they really talk that fancy? Jennifer

Dear God, I would like to know why all the things you said are in red? Joanne

Dear God what does it mean you are a jealous God. I thought you had everything. Jane

Dear God, Is reverend Coe a friend of yours, or do you just know him through business? Donny

Did you really mean Do Unto Others As They Do Unto You, because if you did then I'm going to fix my brother. Darla

Dear God, When you made the first man did he work as good as we do now? Tom

Dear God My grandpa says you were around when he was a little boy. How far back do you go? Love, Dennis

Dear God, I know all about where babies come from. I think. From inside mommies and daddies put them there. Where are they before that? Do you have them in heaven? How do they get down here? Do you have to take care of them all first. Please answer all my questions. I always think of you. Yours truly Susan


FERVENT WISHES, SUGGESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS

Dear God, Thank you for the baby brother but what I prayed for was a puppy. Joyce

Dear God How come you didn't invent any new animals lately? We still have just all the old ones. Johny

Dear God, It rained for are whole vacation and is my father mad! He said some things about you that people are not supposed to say, but I hope you will not hurt him anyway. Your friend But I am not going to tell you who I am

Please send me a pony I never ask for anything before you can look it up. Bruce

Dear Mr. God I wish you would not make it so easy for people to come apart. I had 3 stitches and a shot. Janet

Dear-God-if-we-come-back-as-something-please-dont-let-me-be-Jennifer-Horton- because-I-hate-her. Denise

Dear God, If you give me genie lamp like Alladin I will give you anything you want except my money or my chess set. Raphael

Dear God, My brother is a rat. You should give him a tail. Ha ha. Danny

Dear God, Please send Dennis Clark to a different camp this year. Peter

Dear God Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each so much if they had their own rooms. It works with my brother. Larry

Dear God, I want to be just like my daddy when I get big but not with so much hair all over. Sam

Dear God, I keep waiting for spring but it never come yet. Don't forget. Mark


APPROVALS, CONFIDENCES AND THANKS

You don't have to worry about me. I always look both ways. Dean

Dear God, I think the stapler is one of your greatest invention. Ruth M.

Dear God, My name is Simon. Thats' from the bible. I am eight and a half. We live across the street from the park. I have a dog name buster. I used to have a hamster but he got out and ran away. I am small for my age. My hobbies are swimming, bowling, my chemistry set, reading, coin collecting, and tropical fish. Right now I have three kinds. Well I guess I said a mouthful. Goodby. Always a friend, Simon

Dear God, I think about you sometimes even when I'm not praying. Elliott

Dear God, I bet it is very hard for you to love all of everybody in the world There are ony 4 people in our family and I can never do it. Nan

Dear God of all the people who work for you I like Peter and John the best. Rob

Dear God, My brother told me about being born but it doesn't sound right. Marsha

Dear God, If you watch in church on Sunday I will show you my new shoes. Mickey D.

Dear God, I like the story about Chanuka the best of all of them. You really made up some good ones. Glenn

God, I would like to live 900 years like the guy in the bible. Love, Chris

Dear God I love you. how are you fine. Im fine to. my mother has five girls and one boy, I am one of them. Nancy 6

Dear God I don't ever feel alone since I found out about you. Nora

We read Thos. Edison made light. But in Sun. school they said you did it. So I bet he stoled your idea. Sincerely, Donna

Dear God, If you let the dinasor not exstinct we would not have a country. You did the right thing. Jonathan

Dear God. here's a poem: I love you because you give us what we need to live But I wish you would tell me why you made it so we have to die. Daniel (age 8)

Dear God it is great the way you always get the stars in the right places. Jeff

God: the bad people laughed at noah-you make an ark on dry land you fool. But he was smart he stuck with you. thats what I would do. Eddie

Dear God, I do not think anybody could be a better God. Well I just want you to know but I am not just saying that because you are God. Charles

Dear God, I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tues. That was Cool. Eugene

Dear God, I am doing the best I can. Frank

Words Of Wisdom

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched...but are felt in the heart." Helen Keller

---

Inspirational Poem

Handwriting on The Wall

By Author Unknown

A weary mother returned from the store,
Lugging groceries through the kitchen door.
Awaiting her arrival was her 8 year old son,
Anxious to relate what his younger brother had done.

While I was out playing and Dad was on a call,
T.J. took his crayons and wrote on the wall
It's on the new paper you just hung in the den.
I told him you'd be mad at having to do it again.

She let out a moan and furrowed her brow,
Where is your little brother right now?
She emptied her arms and with a purposeful stride,
She marched to his closet where he had gone to hide.

She called his full name as she entered his room.
He trembled with fear--he knew that meant doom
For the next ten minutes, she ranted and raved
About the expensive wallpaper and how she had saved.

Lamenting all the work it would take to repair,
She condemned his actions and total lack of care.
The more she scolded, the madder she got,
Then stomped from his room, totally distraught

She headed for the den to confirm her fears.
When she saw the wall, her eyes flooded with tears.
The message she read pierced her soul with a dart.
It said, I love Mommy, surrounded by a heart.

Well, the wallpaper remained, just as she found it,
With an empty picture frame hung to surround it.
A reminder to her, and indeed to all,
Take time to read the handwriting on the wall.

Famous Quote

He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses more; He who loses faith, loses all.

Famous Quote

It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

Unknown

Pass this on if you'd like. You could help bring someone ecouragement and you just might make their day.

The Shipwreck

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.

The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground--it just may be a smoke signal that summons The
Grace of God.

Pass this on. You never know who may be in need of this today.

Famous Quote

"You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely." -unknown

A Touching Story

A MOTHERS LOVE

By unknown Author

A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. After his Mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said:

For cutting the grass: $5.00
For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00
For going to the store for you: $.50
Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping: $.25
Taking out the garbage: $1.00
For getting a good report card: $5.00
For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00
Total owed: $14.75

Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he'd written on, and this is what she wrote:

For the nine months I carried you while you were growing inside me:
No Charge

For all the nights that I've sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you:
No Charge

For all the trying times, and all the tears that you've caused through the years:
No Charge

For all the nights that were filled with dread, and for the worries I knew were ahead:
No Charge

For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose:
No Charge

Son, when you add it up, the cost of my love is:
No Charge.

When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight at his mother and said, "Mom, I sure do love you." And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote: "PAID IN FULL".

Lessons:

• You will never how much your parents are worth till you become a parent

• Be a giver not an asker, especially with your parents. there is a lot to give, besides money.

Advice: IF your mom is alive and close to you, give her a big kiss and ask her for forgiveness. If she is far away, call her. if she passed away, pray for her.

Bible Verse

Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:14

Bible Verse

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears."

-Psalm 18:2-6

Inspirational Bible Verse

"And Jesus said unto them ... , "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to younder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you."
Romans 1:17

A New Year's Prayer

Give us through the coming year quietness of mind-
Teach us to be patient and always to be kind.
And show us that in quietness we can feel Your presence near,
Filling us with joy and peace throughout the coming year.

Helen Steiner Rice~