Why Go To Church?

 

Got an email from my sister a few days ago. It was regarding “why go to Church?”

 

If you go to Church you’ll love reading this. If you don’t go to Church, I highly encourage that you do. There’s nothing to loose. It doesn’t cost you a penny either!

 

So here goes…

 

 

Why Go to Church?
If you’re spiritually alive, you’re going to love this!
If you’re spiritually dead, you won’t read it!
If you’re spiritually curious, there is still hope!

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. “I’ve gone for 30 years now,” he wrote, “and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons.

But for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them. So, I think I’m wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.”

This started a real controversy in the “Letters to the Editor” column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

“I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work.

If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!”

When you are DOWN to nothing…… God is UP to something!

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible!

Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

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Empower Yourself

It’s A Brand New Day

Yes!!! Let’s start our day RIGHT… or any day for that matter with a great, positive and HAPPY attitude!

It’s a new day. A new week.

Yesterday is gone and past.

You can never take back, what you said or done.

But you can certainly as easily

START OVER!!!!

Get back on track and remind yourself how beautiful life is…  or can be!

New opportunities and it’s gifts and Grace

 

Are you struggling with something…?

 

Whatever it is…

Today, is your chance to CHANGE all that…

 

 

If it’s humanly possible. You can do it!

If it’s impossible. God CAN!

 

– Be creative.

– Enhance. Improve. Progress.

– Change course. Be flexible. Have a positive dialogue with yourself.

– Think out of the box. Step out of your comfort zone.

– Make a difference to someone’s day today

– Pause… sometime in the day even for a few moments to take a deep breath…. To appreciate the day!

If it’s not working out, “pause”  again… to get your composure back. Get your second wind. And ask for His “Grace” above. 

– – Most importantly, don’t forget God in your every day life. Talk to Him anytime of the day. And ask Him for faith even as small as a mustard seed. You’ve heard haven’t you? His Word says, “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed. You can tell this mountain to move and it shall.”

For it is done according to thy faith.

“Life does not play favorites.” It only gives back… to us…  what we put in first. Not the other way around.

Get into the habit of filtering what you allow your mind to dwell upon most of the time. If you allow a lot of garbage, then, you will have a lot of garbage in your life.

Soar and fly like an eagle…. rest if you must at times. We all need them after all.

Keep on looking on what’s before you and not what’s behind you. Looking at yesterdays only purpose is to learn the lessons life is teaching us. It’s not suppose to make us bitter or angry or change who we are but to GROW.

 

Look more of what’s good in people and your life…

“The more beauty you see in your life, the more your life becomes beautiful.”

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You Are Perfect in His Eyes

Eye On The Prize

There are times we are not at our best.

There will be days when nothing is working out.

We won’t make the shots we usually do.

React in a way that is out of our character..

Or sometimes, it just pours when it rains.

But what’s important is how we bounce back in life.

“God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons we could not learn in any other way. The way we learn those lessons is not to deny the feelings but to find the meanings underlying them.”
– Stanley Lindquist

You and I are blessed with gifts and uniqueness.

We are “perfect in His eyes.”

Blessed to be a blessing.

To make the world a better place.

To put a smile on someone’s face.

No matter how insignificant your gifts may seem to you;

It may mean everything to someone else.

Don’t allow bitterness in your life.

FOCUS to become BETTER 🙂

Keep your eyes on the prize.

Learn from yesterday’s setbacks.

Then let them go…

They really are friends in disguise.

Today is a new day.

A new opportunity.

A new chapter to rewrite your own history where you can have a happy ending.

Live it as such….

You make the choices to what direction your life goes.

In a way, you are the author of the choices that you make.

What is your story like?

How would you like the story to unfold?

People can read our story…

by the way we live our lives.

Let’s make them count…

Let’s not just make our lives better………                but someone else’s as well. 🙂

Remember, “you are perfect in His eyes.”

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Food for the Soul

 

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.” – Elisabeth KÜbler-Ross

 

Our lives are not determined by what happened to us, but how we react to what happens, not by what life brings us but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results. – Unknown

Never ruin an apology with an excuse.

– Hajar Bessal

 

I complained because I didn’t have shoes until I saw someone without feet. – Unknown

He who angers you conquers you. – Elizabeth Kenny

“You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.” – Abraham Lincoln

People are to be loved and things are to be used… Immorality occurs, when things are loved and people are used.” – Unknown

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s learning to dance in the rain. -Unknown

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Live, Laugh & Love

One of my favorites of all time.

Someone said…

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is all between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

– –Mother Theresa–

Isn’t that BEAUTIFUL?

It reminds me of what’s important in life.

To always to see the “big picture.”

Because people in this world sometimes can be cruel.

– There will be skeptics, rude and mean and selfish people and only see life in one point of view: Themselves
– Thoughtless and ungrateful people: Remember the 10 lepers that Jesus healed? Only one person of the ten came back to say “thanks.”
– Jealous, bitter and envious people.
– Smile in your face – stab you on your back.
– Talk behind your back. Maybe spread rumors.
– Betrayal.

Sometimes it seems impossible or really difficult -but when you try to step back before you react you realize it is only because in some way you want to get even. I do sometimes.

To have them admit they are wrong. To apologize…

but Mother Theresa reminds us;

Not to worry about that and continue to do good.

Why would I waste my time, my emotion, my heart to something or someone that puts me down, takes away my peace, my joy and to what truly matters?

– I will live my life and live my dreams. 

– I will love, laugh & cry

– I will forgive

– I will be kind

– I will succeed

– I will be happy

– I will do good

– And I will give my best

Always….

You see, in the final analysis, it is all between you and God;

It was never between you and them anyway…

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Happiness

Happiness What Is It For You?

 

How Do You Define Happiness?

 

It is defined differently by many.

Og Mandino says, “realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.”

 

Personally, I have been on the top of the world. Lived an awesome lifestyle by human standards but I also have experienced the opposite side of the spectrum.

 

There’s nothing bad about money, fame and things.

Just as long as we don’t get too attached to it that we start to measure our happiness on external things.

What’s worse? Is when we begin to compromise our values and integrity that we forget what is important and who we are along the way

 

Some define happiness like these:

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.

– Denis Waitley

 

The secret of happiness is the realization
that life is a gift, not a right. – Author Unknown

 

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

If we realize and try to live all that were said – we’ll be much happier and giving people.

We will look at life more sacred and treat people with more respect.

Value others not on what they can give or do for us but based on who they are in spite of their imperfections.

They are part of God’s wonderful creation.

So God must love them too.

Happiness is a gift, a grace…

But is also a choice…

“It’s an attitude.”

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Special Treasure II

“Now if you OBEY me fully and KEEP my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my TREASURED POSSESSION….”. Exodus 19:5

We are God’s special treasure.

Treasure is defined as “precious” or of “value.”

Possession on the other hand is defined as “wealth” or “property.” Or something owned.

When we own something that is “very precious” to us we will do anything to take care of it.

Because it is “special” to us.

And when we loose that “special treasure” we are brokenhearted, sad and in sorrow.

That is the same with God. When we forget Him. When we go on our own way. When we blame Him for our circumstances our struggles, our pain. And question Him that if He really loves us then why do we experience such tragedies in our life or why we go through difficult circumstances?

JUST BECAUSE……………..

– you are struggling in life

– can’t get a break

– have been sick and no doctor can’t find a cure

– have been past over for promotions

– lost your job, your savings

– lost your home

– Experienced betrayal from family, spouse, friends?

– you always do the right thing and you end up at the short end of the stick?

doesn’t mean God loves any more or any less.

God loves us for who we are. He created us after all in His own image  and likeness. That alone speaks volumes.

Whatever it is. God remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His Love endures forever no matter what.

Remember the story of Joseph? A good young man. He has GOD in his life. And yet his own brothers sold him for 20 pieces of silver because they were jealous. Did God forget Joseph then? Nope, as the story goes………..

He was sold to Egypt. God was with Joseph. And Potiphar one of Pharaoh’s officials was fond of Joseph. He was put in charge of Potiphar’s household and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.  The LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph.

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome. Potiphar’s wife noticed this. And she wanted to sleep with Joseph. But Joseph refused several times. So she claimed he wanted to sleep with her and she screamed. Upon hearing this he was put in jail.

Now, he did the right thing and yet he was falsely accused. Does that mean God doesn’t care anymore? Where is God’s justice you say? Let’s go on……………

In prison, two co prisoners, a cup bearer and a chief baker assigned to Joseph had a dream but don’t know what it means. Since Joseph can interpret them. Joseph offered to do so and they were impressed. All Joseph asked of them is that when all goes well with them, to remember him and show him kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get Joseph out of this prison.

But when they got out. Joseph was forgotten for 2 years. Nothing. Did Joseph suddenly lost favor from God? If you were Joseph can you still feel and acknowledge that you are God’s special treasure? ++

Two years later Pharaoh had a dream and no one can interpret it. The cup bearer finally remembered about Joseph and told Pharaoh who asked for Joseph and Joseph successfully interpreted his dream.

And Pharaoh so impressed put his ring on Joseph’s finger and made him second in command. Joseph was put in charge in all the land in Egypt.

You see in all of Joseph’s adversities and challenges it can be easy for us to doubt or question God’s love, faithfulness and mercy. God never changes. He is constant. His Love His Grace is always there for us. Joseph never was bitter about his brothers after selling him. He never complained to God after being falsely accused. He never doubted or questioned God when the cup bearer forgot to return the favor. He can. But he did not!

 

For he knew God will see him through in His time and in His own way. Knew that God has a plan for his life. He knew in his heart he was God’s special treasure.

 

Joseph knew that we are God’s special treasure if we obey Him fully and keep his covenant.

“Now if you OBEY me fully and KEEP my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my TREASURED POSSESSION….”. Exodus 19:5

That is how Joseph responded to life’s setbacks in his life. Instead of doubting and questioning God’s faithfulness, complaining, grumbling & blaming… We should respond the same way in our difficulties. We will be blessed like Joseph did!

Keep your eyes on Him/ No matter how strong or violent the storms in your life may be. Because God is more powerful than anything or anyone in this world. His great Love for you and me assures us that…

Keep your eyes on Him

The sun will shine again in your life. It’s just behind the clouds. It is there. God is there.

You and I are so precious to Him……

Don’t you forget that!

How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand –

Psalms 139:17-18

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Essence of Love II

Here are a collection of what Love is from other people’s experiences.

 from Winnie the Pooh

1. If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.

“Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides.

And when it subsides you have to make a decision.
You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because this is what love is.

Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being “in love” which any of us can convince ourselves we are.

“Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.”

• “My night has become a sunny dawn because of you.”

• “In real love you want the other person’s good. In romantic love you want the other person.”

• “In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities.”

• “Love is the beauty of the soul.”

• “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.”

• “Each moment of a happy lover’s hour is worth an age of dull and common life.”

• “Your words are my food, your breath my wine. You are everything to me.”

• “In my wildest dreams, you always play the hero. In my darkest hour of night, you rescue me, you save my life.”

Marcel Proust
Love is space and time measured by the heart.

Charlotte Elizabeth Aisse
I could never love where I could not respect.

Anonymous

Sometimes we let affection, go unspoken,
Sometimes we let our love go unexpressed,
Sometimes we can’t find words to tell our feelings,
Especially towards those we love the best.

Lao Tzu
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

Sir Arthur Wing Pinero
Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young.

Leo Tolstoy
When you love someone, you love the whole person, just as he or she is, and not as you would like them to be.

love,valentine,quotes,sayings,quotations,essence

William Shakespeare
Love looks not with eyes, but with the mind.

The following from Mother Theresa

– It is not how much you do, but how much Love you put into the doing that matters.

– Love is repaid by love alone!

– If you think well of others, you will also speak well of others and to others. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. If your heart is full of love, you will speak of love.

 

– It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.

– Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.

Helen Keller

The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.

Richard Garnett

Sweet are the words of Love, sweeter his thoughts: Sweetest of all what Love nor says nor thinks.

 Sir Winston Churchill

My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me.

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others,
it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth…
always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres.
Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13

Leo Buscaglia
– Find the person who will love you because of your differences and not in spite of them and you have found a lover for life.

Leo Buscaglia
– Only when we give joyfully, without hesitation or thought of gain, can we truly know what love means.

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My Personal Success & Life Quotes

Here are some of my personal quotes I would like to share based on my life experiences over the years.

“Success doesn’t have any age requirements. Nor preference of race, religion, sex or ethnic origin to qualify.”

“You want to live a HAPPY life? Don’t set TOO MANY rules and expectations on how people and life should be…”

“The greatest of people that ever lived did not just succeed overnight. Nor did they shine every single time they stepped on the stage.”

In your journey to success – “Pack your bags with your vision, enthusiasm, confidence, discipline, humility and fortitude. And you’ll be on your way…”

“God’s grace is the only thing that allows us to do the improbable.”

“May my actions be more righteous than my words…”

“If you mix humor and passion to life, add love in your home, blend together peace and forgiveness – success and happiness is inevitable.”

“Happiness is an attitude.

“How a person is in small matters will also be… in bigger matters…”

“Life can only give back to us what we have put into the world first. Not the other way around.”

“If you like giving crap to others – be a sport in getting crap back at you”

“Everyone talks about love… says they love… but without compassion, understanding, forgiveness & respect there could be no love.

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Something Wonderful You Have To See

Be a Voice.
Not An Echo.
An originator.
Not an an imitator.
Be a creator.
Not an impersonator.
Be you.
Not anybody else.
You are unique
You are Extraordinary
God made you this way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My niece shared these beautiful images and quotes in Facebook. Now, I want to share it with you… These are from Lessons Learned In Life. Enjoy 🙂

 

“Never take someone’s feelings for granted because you never know how much courage that they took to show it to you.”

 

I was taught to never take life for granted, to live a little, to love with everything I had. To never give up, to believe in my myself, but most of all to fight for myself. I’ll screw up. I’ll make mistakes, I’ll try to learn from them. I won’t trust you until you’ve proven yourself. But I’ll love you with everything I have.

 

You deserve to wear a smile in your heart. Not because of what you have or what you do, but because of who you are. Yes you are changing each day but you are always amazing just as you are.

 

Maturity begins when we’re content to feel we’re right about something without feeling the necessity to prove someone else wrong.

 

My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me:
Best friends understand when you say: “Forget it”
Wait forever when you say: “Just a minute”
Stay when you say: “Leave me alone”
and open the door before you can say: “Come in”

 

Sometimes you have to stop worrying, wondering and doubting. Have faith that things will work out, maybe not how you planned but just how it’s meant to be.

 

Never try to hide who you are. The only shame is to have shame. Always stand up for what you believe in. Always question what people tell you. Never regret the past….its a waste of time. There’s a reason for everything; every mistake, every moment of weakness, every terrible thing that has happened to you, grow from it. The only way you can ever get the respect of others is when you show them that you respect yourself and most importantly, do your thing and never apologize for being you.

 

 

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