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I knelt to pray but not for long, So I knelt and said a hurried prayer, All day long I had no time No time, no time, too much to do, God looked into His book and said Author Unknown |
Tag: Interpersonal relationship
A Thought for Today
For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin–real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.– Alfred D. Souza
Who Will Help Save Lindsay Lohan?
We are a world of people who thrive on negative news. The media will go into every nook and cranny to dig up any negative information they can find on people’s lives. It is almost something of a disease, the pleasure some people seem to derive from other people’s misfortune. They are the ones who will be quick to point out that something is wrong with someone, yet they fail to see anything wrong with their own actions.
Most of the time the people targeted are the ones who are simply screaming for help. There was Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston (both of whom are now dead) and let us not forget Britney Spears. Britney went through living hell at the hands of the media. She is stronger than a lot of people gave her credit for. If she was not a strong person she would not have been able to survive with her sanity still intact. The negative media attention focused on Britney got so bad that at one point I started switching channels whenever her name was mentioned because I knew they were just going to say something negative about her. I was disgusted that people actually seemed to derive some kind of pleasure from putting her down. I am glad that Britney was able to get her act together and take charge of her life. I am glad that there were people who believed in her to give her the support she needed. I am very proud of her and pray that she will remain on the path she is now on.
Lindsay Lohan is a far way off from the path of recovery but she is not beyond help. They twenty-six year old needs some serious guidance, moral support and people who will help her instead of constantly bashing her. Try being in her shoe for even an hour. You turn on the television and you are being made fun off, you open a news paper and you make the headlines about all the things you have done wrong, you turn to the internet and it gets worse, your picture is everywhere and the headlines and comments are all negative. It is like living in an emotional abusive relationship. It takes its toll on you, it strips you of your self-worth and self-esteem, it does not help and then everyone wonders why she can’t get her act together? She might be a star but at the end of the day she is only human yearning for love acceptance and friendship just like everyone else. For people like Lindsay it is hard to trust you don’t know who genuinely care or who only pretend to care to get a story.
What is really sad is that a lot of the negativity is coming from people in the entertainment business. You would think they would care enough to look out for each other but hey who am I kidding people are more interested in tearing you down rather than building you up. Still it would be nice if her critics stopped focusing so much on all that she is doing wrong and instead reach out to her to see how they can help her to make it right. Don’t let her become another statistic. So I ask once more, who will help save Lindsay Lohan?
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- Lindsay Lohan — PROBATION REVOKED (tmz.com)
A World of Money, Greed, Power and Hate
We are living in a world driven by money, greed, power and hate. These four things have become a growing epidemic which is threatening to take over the world and no sector off society is immune. The church which was once a place where people could find that inner peace, an avenue of escape from what is going on in the world is being infiltrated by people with an unhealthy quest for money, driven by greed and seeking power. The poor and need as usual are their victims.
The airways are now flooded by pastors who proclaim are teaching the word of God. Everyone wants to set up ministry and have people partner them. Some of them spend more time advertising their products rather than preaching the gospel. Everyone has a book to sell along with the books are CD’s and DVDs. Often times the books are over-priced. The gospel that they say they are teaching, the very gospel that they ask for donations for so they can remain on the air ways is not free. You make the contribution so they can stay on air and then they ask you to buy CD’s and DVDs in order to hear the full sermons. What can I say, the Church has become a big business and more and more are seeking to get a piece of the pie.
Some of these so-called ministers are very skilled at the tactics they use to convince people to send them money they most famous of which is the planting of seed faith. They try to impress on people that this is the way to get favor from God and they are not interested in small sums of money either so they tell people if you want supernatural blessing you have to sow seeds accordingly. They tell them they deserve to have wealth all of which is good but at the end of the day they are the ones who benefit the most from seeds you plant because they are getting your money.
I am all for people making donations to those who are genuinely interested in teaching the gospel but you have learn to distinguish them from those who are more interested in your wallet rather than you soul. Be careful of those who only focus on money and seek to preach to you only those scriptures that say you are required to sow seeds. Be wary of those who will tell you God tell them to tell you to sow seeds of exorbitant sums and you will receive miracles. When people become driven by greed they will use even the name of God to get to your wallet. There is one particular pastor who was advertising an eight minute miracle if you sent him a seed faith of $273 he said God told him that seven would be watching and that particular miracle was for those seven. This ad ran for some weeks and I was really interested to see what God would tell him next. Well he now has a new ad and this time he has a miracle for a thousand and this time the seed faith they have to plant is $1000. I suppose the next time he hears from God the money will go even higher. This is a perfect example of what happens when people become driven by greed, they are never satisfied and the more they get is the more they want.
Know that there are many things you can do that are pleasing in the eyes of God. The simple act of providing a warm meal or a blanket to your neighbor or someone less fortunate finds favor with God. Showing love to your fellow-man, giving a helping hand to those who need it, sharing words of hope to the hopeless, giving a word of comfort to someone who is grieving, just being there for someone who needs you, this is what God is asking of us. He will supply your needs and anything thing you asking of him believing you will receive whether or not you send money to these people who promise you miracles, The only payment God ask of us is that we obey and serve him and you need to trust Him enough to believe that!!
Power and hate are the two other things destroying our society and our world. Some people use their power to make life a living hell for others. In many work places you find that there is an abuse of power as people at the top look down at those at the bottom. Few seem to realize that the same way you go up you can come back down and the people you pass on the way up will be the same people you pass on your way back down.
There is a saying that the more things change the more they remain the same. This is so true in regards to racism. There are people intent on hating each other simply because their skin is of a different color. It is sheer stupidity but try telling that to these people. We are all made up the same there is so superiority in regards to the brain or any other part of the body for that matter in black or white folks the only thing that is different is the pigmentation of the skin. It is stupid to hate someone because their skin is a different color from yours. Blacks who hate whites and whites who hate blacks need to learn this; God is not going to have a separate heaven or hell for whites or blacks so you all better learn to get along here on earth. There is no room for haters in heaven so you will be spending eternity in hell.
Finally I must say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Remember that Thanksgiving is about giving thanks to God for all that he has done for us. Let us not lose focus and let Black Friday take precedence over Thanksgiving. Focus on giving God thanks first and do whatever else you have to do after. Again Happy Thanksgiving and if you can try to make a difference in someone’s life. One love and God bless!!
JOKES
Social Security
A retired gentleman went to the social security office to apply for Social Security. The woman behind the counter asked him for his driver’s license to verify his age. He looked in his pockets and realized he had left his wallet at home. He told the woman that he was very sorry but he seemed to have left his wallet at home. “I will have to go home and come back later.”
The woman says, “Unbutton your shirt.” So he opens his shirt revealing curly silver hair. She says, “That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me” and she processed his Social Security application. When he gets home, the man excitedly tells his wife about his experience at the social security office. She says, “You should have dropped your pants. You might have gotten disability too.
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A mild-mannered man was tired of being bossed around by his wife so he went to a psychiatrist.
The psychiatrist said he needed to build his self-esteem, and so gave him a book on assertiveness, which he read on the way home.
He had finished the book by the time he reached his house.
The man stormed into the house and walked up to his wife.
Pointing a finger in her face, he said, “From now on, I want you to know that I am the man of this house, and my word is law! I want you to prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and when I’m finished eating my meal, I expect a sumptuous dessert afterward. Then, after dinner, you’re going to draw me my bath so I can relax. And when I’m finished with my bath, guess who’s going to dress me and comb my hair?”
“The funeral director,” said his wife.
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One night, a police officer was stalking out a particularly rowdy bar for possible violations of the driving under the influence laws. At closing time, he saw a fellow stumble out of the bar, trip on the curb, and try his keys on five different cars before he found his. Then, sat in the front seat fumbling around with his keys for several minutes. Everyone left the bar and drove off. Finally, he started his engine and began to pull away.
The police officer was waiting for him. He stopped the driver, read him his rights and administered the Breathalyzer test. The results showed a reading of 0.0. The puzzled officer demanded to know how that could be. The driver replied, “Tonight, I’m the Designated Decoy.”
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A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. The next week the man realized that he would need his wife to wake him at 5.00 am for an early morning business flight to Chicago. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence, he finally wrote on a piece of paper, “Please wake me at 5.00 am.”
The next morning the man woke up, only to discover it was 9.00am, and that he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn’t woken him when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed … it said… “It is 5.00am; wake up.”
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A businessman on his deathbed called his friend and said, “Bill, I want you to promise me that when I die you will have my remains cremated.”
“And what,” his friend asked, “do you want me to do with your ashes?”
The businessman said, “Just put them in an envelope and mail them to the Internal Revenue Service and write on the envelope, “Now you have everything.”
PARENTING
The world is no longer as safe as it once was. In almost every society across the globe crime is on the increase. Young people are becoming more and more caught up in this growing trend and are becoming more reckless in the way they conduct their lives and deal with problems. More and more are experimenting with drugs and alcohol and many getting involved in gun crimes.
With all of this going on it is not surprising that some parents will do everything in their power to try to protect their children and keep them from being exposed to all the negative things in society. Some parents however take things to the extent where they become over-protective. They can become over-protective to the point where their teenagers have very little or no social life because they are not allowed to hang out with friends for fear that they might get caught up in the wrong crowd.
Parents need to realize that being over-protective is not necessarily a good thing. We do not exist in a vacuum; we live in a world where there is good and bad. If children are only exposed to the good, how will they be able to deal with the bad when they come in contact with it. It is inevitable that they will come in contact with people who are bad influences. If this happens will they be strong enough to make the right decision never having to deal with such situations before?
It is important to expose teenagers to the good as well as the bad situations they might encounter in life. Exposure, not in a way to endanger their lives but to educate them on what goes on in the world outside the safe place they call home. Some parents do not allow their teenagers to go to parties or to the movies with their friends. They make the decision as to what age their children can go off to college. There are some who feel that at the age of eighteen their children are still to young to leave for college.
Parents have to understand that simply growing older without gaining the experience necessary to deal with real life situations and problems they might encounter along the way will hinder rather than help teenagers. They need to be allowed the freedom necessary to make import decisions because parents are not always going to be around to make these decisions for them.
Teach your children values, the importance of believing in themselves and to know the difference between right and wrong. Let them know that you have enough faith to believe in them and that you trust them to make the right choices in life. They are not going to be perfect and they are going to make mistakes, but this is how they are going to gain experience and learn to deal with the problems they encounter. Life is a learning process.
A Clever Dog
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A Clever Dog |
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By Unknown |
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A butcher watching over his shop is really surprised when he saw a dog coming inside the shop. He shoos him away. But later, the dog is back again. So, he goes over to the dog and notices he has a note in his mouth. He takes the note and it reads “Can I have 12 sausages and a leg of lamb, please. The dog has money in his mouth, as well.” The butcher looks inside and, lo and behold, there is a ten dollar Note there. So he takes the money and puts the sausages and lamb in a bag, placing it in the dog’s mouth. The butcher is so impressed, and since it’s about closing time, he decides to shut up shop and follow the dog. So off he goes. The dog is walking down the street when he comes To a level crossing. The dog puts down the bag, jumps up and presses the button. Then he waits patiently, bag in mouth, for the lights to turn. They do, and he walks across the road, with the butcher following him all the way. The dog then comes to a bus stop, and starts looking at the timetable. The butcher is in awe at this stage. The dog checks out the times, and then sits on one of the seats provided. Along comes a bus. The dog walks around to the front, looks at the number, and goes back to his seat. Another bus comes. Again the dog goes and looks at the number, notices it’s the right bus, and climbs on. The butcher, by now, open-mouthed, follows him onto the bus. The bus travels through the town and out into the suburbs, the dog Looking at the scenery. Eventually he gets up, and moves to the front of the bus. He stands on 2 back paws and pushes the button to stop the bus. Then he gets off, his groceries still in his mouth. Well, dog and butcher are walking along the road, and then the dog turns into a house. He walks up the path, and drops the groceries on the step. Then he walks back down the path, takes a big run, and throws himself against the door. He goes back down the path, runs up to the door and again, it throws himself against it. There’s no answer at the house, so the dog goes back down the path, jumps up on a narrow wall, and walks along the perimeter of the garden. He gets to the window, and beats his head against it several times, walks back, jumps off, and waits at the door. The butcher watches as a big guy opens the door, and starts abusing the dog, kicking him and punching him, and swearing at him. The butcher runs up, and stops the guy. “What in heaven’s name are You doing? The dog is a genius. He could be on TV, for the life of me!” to which the guy responds: “You call this clever? This is the second time this week that this stupid dog’s forgotten his key.” Reflection: When it comes to the work place, Employers do not know how to appreciate their people who have served them loyally through the years. I’ve seen companies lose good people for the simple fact their leaders failed to show appreciation. Employers with big egos enjoy the fact that they have more power and authority than others. They show, in the way they give orders and directions, that they think they are superior. They get a kick out of displaying this superiority. People who do this are fools, and everyone but them knows it. They are never satisfied because they could not be satisfied even if their people perform well. They don’t listen to the opinion and ideas of their subordinates. Why? Because of their stupid pride and insecurity. People of this kind will never be satisfied. Why? Because they are so busy wrapped up in themselves and, fact is, the self can never be satisfied. Happy and productive people are always those who are “others-centered” rather than “self- centered.” The greatest idea of leadership is not someone who throws his weight around. Rather, he is a servant. As Bible would say, “He who wish to be a leader should first be a servant.” His joy is derived from delivering a job that others benefit from his contribution. Aim for service and success will follow
Shared from Lifeofhope.com |
RELATIONSHIPS
Think Before You Close the Door
Ι watched him walk through the door,
Without a backward glance,
My heart was breaking but my pride,
Would not allow me to beg him not to go.
The resounding slam of the door,
Was like a knife being thrust,
Deep into my heart,
Salty tears stung my eyes,
But I refused to cry.
He walked away and I was suddenly engulfed,
In a pool of emptiness,
The silence was deafening,
I could hear myself thinking,
Asking questions that might,
Forever remain unanswered.
Why did he leave me for another?
I gave him all my youth,
He basked in my beauty and warmth,
Told me love stories of how,
We would never be apart,
I was the love of his life he said,
No other could compare,
He said we would grow old together,
So why am I now the only one here?
He met her three months ago,
A sweet pretty girl, just twenty years old,
The same age as our daughter,
He could be her father!
Was it a case of midlife crisis,
Or just plain selfishness?
Twenty-five years devoted to this man,
And he threw it down the drain.
The months have passed by slowly,
My heart is healing,
It doesn’t hurt so much anymore.
He called me yesterday,
She left him, not at all surprised,
You know what he asked me?
If he could come back home!
What home I wondered?
I can still hear the resounding,
Slamming of the door,
It still echoed in my ears,
Reminding me that he had closed,
The chapter in the life we once shared.
I didn’t have to think about it,
Much as I love him,
My answer was no.
I said it loud,
I screamed it in his ears,
So there was no mistake about it,
He could clearly understand,
That was the last word,
He would hear from me,
It was the final goodbye.
Life goes on!
Relationships
In a relationship don’t be a user and never allow yourself to be used by anyone. If you are not genuinely in love with a person do not pretend that you are because the person you are with is very good at taking care of your financial needs. Sometimes people pretend they are in love and get married simply to get a Green Card and once they achieve that they dump the person and move on with someone else.
These people are users and both sexes are guilty of this at one time or another. I remember this good friend of mine who met this guy. Oh he was handsome and charming, not that well off financially but at the time that was not an issue. She was working and he was just entering college. For the first two years of college she was his main financial support, books, clothes, tuition, she was there for him and things were great between them. In his final year he began to withdraw, he stopped calling, stopped coming home on weekends and by the time he graduated he was gone completely from her life. He didn’t need her anymore!
This is only one example. There are men who have sent who have sent there partners through college only to have them dump them upon graduation. In relationships one has to be very careful. Supporting your partner is good but you need to look out for yourself as well. If he or she is going to college and you have not gone and is not in a job where you are financially secure, you might need to rethink your own future and own educational level. College and degrees change a lot of people. The moment some people get a degree they think they are better than you. Remember now I said some, because not everyone is like that.
They say love is blind so it is important that you do not become blinded by love for anyone that you are unable to see that someone is using you. Make sure the person you invest your time and money on is genuinely interested in you. Not many people handle rejection well, most people find it difficult to deal with. Make sure you are not one of those persons who invest heavily in your relationship and end up being rejected. Keep the relationship healthy, don’t be a user and don’t allow yourself to be used!
Relationships
Having a relationship and making it work is sometimes a very difficult job. Often times relationships fail because partners do not work hard enough to make the relationship work. Many people have the misconception that when you meet someone and fall in love you have reached that milestone and when you say the vows and the ring goes on, it is as if that coveted prize has been won. However do not be fooled because it is then when the real work begins, the job of making sure that the relationship works out. If both parties are committed despite the odds it can work out.
Relationships can become complicated for many reasons. In many relationships after a while partners begin to take each other for granted. Some become less expressive and ‘I love you or I care for you’ is heard a lot less. It doesn’t mean that they love their partner any less, it just seem like it is no longer important to let their partner know how they feel. They take it for granted that the other person should know. Telling your partner that you love him or her every once in a while will help to reassure that person that you care about him or her.
Do not make important decisions without consulting your partner first. Be supportive and encourage each other. Do not ridicule or be unduly critical of each other. Never say hurtful words to each other because once you say those words even when you regret saying them the truth is you can’t take them back. Even if you later apologize it does not mean that your partner will not still feel hurt by what you said. Remember the things you say during an argument can be a reflection of what you are really feeling inside, so be careful what you say.
At all times treat each other with respect. Be honest with each other and being honest also means being faithful to each other. If you no longer love the person and wants to end the relationship be upfront and honest and let your partner know. It might be painful but it is better to let them know rather to go seeing someone else behind their back. That will be even more painful when they find out. Think before you act. Remember it is not a good thing to mess with someone heart.
Author Marva Seaton 
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