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Love of My Life

How can a woman not love the Lord?

* He is a gentleman,

* He is confident

* He is a provider and protector

* He is rich and powerful

* He owns everything, there is nothing He wouldn't do for me

* He perfects all things concerning me

* He anticipates my wants and needs

* Every day He tells me and shows me how much He loves me

* I don't have to perform in order to earn His love

* He keeps all of his promises

* No one can influence His opinion of me

* He is the ultimate intimate partner

* He can't "disown" me because I am a part of Him

* He prepares a table before ME

* He covers me and doesn't expose me

* He wrote his loving words down so that I'll never forget how He feels about me!

NOW THAT'S LOVE!!!

Any man, who wants pointers on how to love a woman, should study GOD!

Wake up every day and thank God for being the best "man" in your life!

TO ALL THE BEAUTIFUL WOMEN I KNOW!!! BE BLESSED!!!!

Author Unknown to Us

If you ever become discouraged and wonder if you are really important to God, just read this bell for the answer. I believe this sums it up very well.

The BELL

"I KNOW WHO I AM"

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt. 5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor.5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom.8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil. 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God

Author unidentified

THE MASTER'S VISIT

Ruth went to her mail box and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter:

Dear Ruth:

I`m going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and I'd like to stop by for a visit.

Love Always, Jesus

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table."Why would the Lord want to visit me? I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer."

With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. "Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer. I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner." She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents.

"Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk...leaving Ruth with a grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.

"Hey lady, can you help us, lady?"

Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags "Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us. Lady, we'd really appreciate it."

Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to.

"Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him."

"Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway."

The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley. As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart.

"Sir, wait!" The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. "Look, why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest." She handed the man her grocery bag.

"Thank you lady. Thank you very much!" "Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering.

"You know, I've got another coat at home; take this one." Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.

"Thank you lady! Thank you very much!"

Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't have anything to offer Him. She fumbled in her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. "That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day." She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.

Dear Ruth:

It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.

Love Always Jesus

The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.

Author Unknown

I wish we could find out who wrote this beautiful lesson in Christian love. It would be a pleasure to give him/her credit. But Jesus will take care of that in heaven one day. For now, let's take a page out of this person's book on life and do good unto othes even as the Lord is good to us.

Rev. Suzanne

So much of what happens in churches today can be categorized as legalism. Jesus warned that we should beware of treating others according to a man-made doctrine, This story is a great example of how we should not behave toward one another. Read this and think. I'm sure many of you already have read it, but it's worth a second look.

THE COWBOY AND THE CHURCH

One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally worn out bible.

The Church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories.

As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it. The preacher gave a long sermon about Hellfire and brimstone and a stern lecture on how much money the church needed to do God's work.

As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what He thinks would be appropriate attire for worship." The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.

The next Sunday, he showed up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored. The preacher approached the man and said, "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church."

"I did," replied the old cowboy. "

"If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for worshipping in here?" asked the preacher.

"Well, sir, God told me that He didn't have a clue what I should wear. He says He's never been in this church!"

A Woman and a Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things in "order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.

"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming..like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork the best is yet to come."

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died He also told them fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep their fork." Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share ... being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.

Keep your fork !!!!

Author Unknown to Us

EVERYONE COUNTS

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.

His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd."

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him.. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.

" He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!"

There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!

" He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak. Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous.

Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. " Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends... I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.

Author Unknown

God’s Love Comes Softly From The Touch Of A Butterfly

This is a story of just how much we are loved and cared for by God. His love comes softly through the light touch of a butterfly.

We had a West Highland White Terrier. She was the cutest little dog, pure white with two black button eyes, and she was usually the center of attention. Murphee was a very playful little dog. Her favorite thing was chasing shadows, especially Butterflies, and if they got low enough she would also chase the butterfly. The other thing she liked to do was roll in the grass after it was mowed until she looked green. In the Summer we would have to go out pick her up and bring her into the house; she would

chase shadows for hours if you let her. Murphee also liked to chase cats, which was not a good idea especially because she was smaller than the cats, but she ruled the house even though she was smaller than all the other dogs and cats.

Murphee loved raw carrots. If you were at the sink cleaning carrots she knew it, and you would feel her cold little nose poking you on your calf for a carrot, and if that didn’t work, she would bark. She had one loud bark for a little dog.

When Murphee was nine she started to go into kidney failure, but she still chased her shadows, she lasted for nine months, but in June we had to have her put to sleep. This was so hard, because she was so much a part of our lives.

The weekend after we had Murphee put to sleep, I was out cleaning up the yard, crying and praying. Soon I became aware of a fluttering on the left side of my face, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a white butterfly with two blacks spots on it’s wing. It touched my cheek, flew straight up into the air, and disappeared!

God really does give butterfly kisses!

After this I felt the “Peace of God which passes all understanding” (Phillipians 4:7), because He cared enough about our sorrow to send a white butterfly with two black spots on it’s wing, to give a butterfly kiss, and to show just how much He does care about our sorrow. I think He does this all the time, but we are so caught up in expecting a big miracle that we miss the small ones. If we would slow down and pay attention, there are small miracles happening every day to get us through the rough spots, if we just become aware of what’s going on around us. Don’t always expect the parting of the Red Sea, sometimes your miracle comes in the form of a small white butterfly with two black spots on it’s wing. I will be forever grateful for this experience, because I feel there was a connection with God, and His peace which is hard to explain.

Rose M. Hess

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have

all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26.

Then

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

AND, look how far the love of God will take you

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

certainty that:

While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top.

Have a Great Day!

PSALM 23

The Lord asked our pastor what Psalm 23 meant to him. This was his answer:

The Lord is my Caretaker and Provider causing me to live my life and all the events of my life with no wants.

He makes me lie down in total comfort and all the events of my life are green and productive. He leads me beside waters of quietness so that my life is always fresh and never dry.

He brings to my life daily, total restoration for my spirit, soul and body. My leading's and directions are all divine to the right place at the right time and they are glorious for His Name sake. They will declare His goodness. I will not be standing off track, alone and confused but will be where He has already prepared for me a full successful life of grace.

I will not walk this life without going through the valley of death, but without harm. It will only be a shadow with no penetrating power to my life. With no fear of the shadow because of the total comfort of Your Rod and Your Staff that surround me on every side at all times. Your Staff is mighty and has ability to excel in strength making sure of my deliverance at all times.

You have gracefully, this year prepared a table of full supply before me right in the presence of my enemies. The table is completely open to me with everything that I will ever need in this life and without resistance from the enemy . I will freely eat of it daily like a daily bread without hindrances and delays because this hour You have Anointed my head with oil and it flows through every part of my body like the healing oil that it is. I am so full that it runs from me like a cup that overflows and many others will be blessed because of Your gracious overflowing supply that You have released in my life.

So it goes without saying, because of Your Blood Guarantee, Your Glory of Goodness and Mercy that is new on my life daily will follow and hunt me down everywhere I go and in everything I do making sure that I am complete in life's blessings for the total of my day on this Earth upon completion of my fulfilled days, I will be transported to the House of My Lord to begin my new life with Him forever Amen

I hope you will like this it ministers to me a lot.

Love you

Rev. Patricia Danker

Used by permission from:

Pastor Roy Hayes

Successful Word Church

Warwick, Oklahoma