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Monday, 18 May 2009
Quilt of Holes
Topic: Stuff To Think About



 Quilt of Holes

 As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along  with all the other souls.

 Before  each of us laid our lives like the squares of a  quilt in many  piles; an  angel sat before each of  us sewing our quilt squares together  into a tapestry that is our  life.

 But  as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I  noticed  how  ragged and empty each of my squares was.

 They were filled with  giant  holes.

 Each square was labeled with a part of my life  that had been difficult,  the challenges and temptations I was  faced with in every day life.

 I saw  hardships that I endured,  which were the largest holes of all.

 I   glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares.

 Other than a tiny  hole here and  there, the other tapestries were filled  with  rich color and the bright hues of  worldly fortune.

 I gazed  upon my own life and was disheartened.

 My   angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and  empty, like  binding air.

 Finally  the time came when each life was to be  displayed, held up to  the light, the scrutiny of truth.

 The others rose; each in   turn, holding up their tapestries.

 So filled their lives had been.

 My angel  looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

 My  gaze dropped to the  ground in shame.

 I hadn't had all the  earthly fortunes.

 I had love in my life,  and laughter.

 But  there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false  accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it.

 I had to start  over many  times.

 I often struggled with the temptation to  quit, only to somehow muster the  strength to pick up and begin again.

 I spent many nights on my knees in  prayer, asking for  help and guidance  in my life.

 I had often been held up  to  ridicule, which I endured painfully, each  time offering it up to  the  Father in hopes that I would not melt within  my skin  beneath the judgmental  gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

 And  now, I had to face  the truth. My life was what it was, and I  had to  accept it for what it  was.

 I  rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to  the  light.

 An  awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the  others  who  stared at me with wide eyes.

 Then,  I looked upon  the tapestry before me.

 Light flooded the many  holes, creating an image,  the face of Christ.

 Then our Lord  stood before me, with warmth and love in  His eyes.

 He said,  'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life,  My hardships, and My struggles.

 Each  point of light in your life is  when you stepped aside and let  Me  shine through, until there was more of Me than  there was of  you.'

 May  all our quilts be threadbare and worn,  allowing Christ to  shine  through!
 

 

Posted by Paula at 11:11 AM CDT
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Thursday, 26 March 2009
Thoughts Worth Pondering
Topic: Stuff To Think About

I apologise if parts of this are hard to read ... I just copied it from an email.  I thought it was worth sharing.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Don't let your worries get the best of you; 
Remember, Moses started out as a basket case. 

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* 
Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited 
Until you try to sit in their pews.
 

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Many folks want to serve God,
 
But only as advisers.
 

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It is easier to preach ten sermons
 
Than it is to live one. 


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The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, 
But mosquitoes come close.
 

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When you get to your wit's end, 
You'll find God lives there.
 

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People are funny; they want the front of the bus, 
Middle of the road, 
And back of the church.
 

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Opportunity may knock once, 
But temptation bangs on the front door forever.
 

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Quit griping about your church;
 
If it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
 

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If a church wants a better pastor, 
It only needs to pray for the one it has.
 

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We're called to be witnesses, not lawyers or Judges. 



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Some minds are like concrete
 
Thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
 

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Peace starts with a smile.
 

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I don't know why some people change churches; 
What difference does it make which one you stay home from? 


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A lot of church members singing 'Standing on the Promises' 
Are just sitting on the premises.
 

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Be ye fishers of men. You catch 'em - He'll clean 'em. 


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Stop, Drop, and Roll won't work in Hell. 

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Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous. 


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Don't put a question mark where God put a period. 

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Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church. 


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Forbidden fruits create many jams.
 

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God doesn't call the qualified, 
He qualifies the called.
 


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God grades on the cross, not the curve. 


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God loves everyone, 
But probably prefers 'fruits of the spirit' over 'religious nuts!' 


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God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.  ;


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He who angers you, controls you!
 


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If God is your Co-pilot, swap seats!
 

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Prayer: 
Don't give God instructions, just report
for duty! 


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The task ahead of us is never as 
great as the Power behind us.
 

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The Will of God never takes you to where the 
Grace of God will not protect you.
 

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We don't change the message, 
The message changes us.
 


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You can tell how big a person is 
By what it takes to discourage him. 


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The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.
 

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* 
If this blessed you in a profound way today, 

Share it with a few friends to bless them! 
I bet someone else will LOVE it too.
There is no greater treasure than a good friend!


Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Posted by Paula at 10:43 PM CDT
Updated: Thursday, 26 March 2009 10:46 PM CDT
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Friday, 13 March 2009
Drink!
Topic: Stuff To Think About
Just read  this over at Frantically Simple  and wanted to share.

Posted by Paula at 10:53 PM CDT
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Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Wise Words
Topic: Stuff To Think About

I usually shy away from talking politics (cuz I dont know enough about 'em to make sense) but some friends over at http://www.justtalkingitup.com/ shared some thoughts I wanted to pass along.

The late Dr. Adrian Rogers (1931-2005), past president of the Southern Baptist Convention and long time pastor of  Bellevue  Baptist Church in Memphis,  may have been prophetic some years ago when he uttered the following.

“You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.”


Posted by Paula at 3:07 PM CST
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Saturday, 10 January 2009
Makes Sense To Me .........
Topic: Stuff To Think About
FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY : In Florida , an atheist created a case against the Easter & Passover holy days.  He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews & observances of their holy days.  The argument was it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized day.

The case was brought before a judge.  After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring,  "Case dismissed."

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying,  "Your honor, how can you  possibly dismiss  this case?  The Christians have Christmas, Easter & others.  The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur & Hanukkah.  Yet my client & all other atheists have no such holidays."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do.  Counsel, your client is woefully ignorant."  The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."

The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is 'April Fools Day.'  Psalm 14:1 states 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.'  Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool.  Therefore, April 1st is his day.  Court is adjourned."

Posted by Paula at 10:05 AM CST
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Thursday, 27 November 2008
Happy Thanksgiving
Topic: Stuff To Think About

I want to wish a very happy Thanksgiving to all my friends ... those I've known forever ..... those I've known only a little while ..... those I know in 'real life'  ..... and to my especially wonderful new friends I've met through this thing we call a blog.  Each of you hold a very important place in my life and in my heart.

As you go about your cooking and eating and baby-holding and back yard football games ..... dont forget to pause in all the hustle and bustle and say a prayer of thanks.

I have much to be thankful for this year .... so much I dont think I could even begin to list it all here.  It would take many pages and many days to list it all.

I hope everyone can feel as blessed as I do this day.  Much love to you all.

Paula


Posted by Paula at 7:22 AM CST
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Saturday, 22 November 2008

Topic: Stuff To Think About

I did something .... that I thought was right .... and I still think it was something I had to do .... but it might not have been the smartest thing I ever did.  So I could use some prayers that it turns out to be the right decision .... for everyone.  And that everyone involved learns a BIG lesson from it, and doesnt put anyone in this position again.

Edit:  Two seconds (I'm not kidding) after I posted this blog, I got this email.

 

God has seen you struggling (with something),

God says it's over. A  blessing is coming  your way.

If you believe in God send to ten people,

please don't ignore, you are being tested..

I dont know about you - but I dont believe in coincidence.


Posted by Paula at 10:32 AM CST
Updated: Saturday, 22 November 2008 11:00 AM CST
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Friday, 7 November 2008
Drinking From My Saucer
Topic: Stuff To Think About

I heard this recitation by Jimmy Dean tonight and I want to share it with you:

 Drinking From My Saucer

I've never made a fortune,
It's probably too late now.
Oh, but I don't worry about that much,
'Cause I'm happy anyhow.

As I go along life's journey,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Ain't got a lot of riches,
Sometimes the going's rough.
But I've got a friend in Jesus,
And that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for all His Blessings on me,
And the mercy that He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Oh sure, I've been thru some storms,
And yes, I'm sure there were times when my,
Well, my Faith must have got a little thin,
But you know what it seemed like?
One day all at once, those dark clouds broke,
And that old sun, she started shinin' again.

So Lord, help me not to grumble and complain,
About the tough rows I have hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

And if I should go on living,
If the way gets steep and rough.
I won't ask for other Blessings,
'Cause I'm already Blessed enough.

May I never be too busy,
To help another bear his load.
And I'll keep drinking from my saucer, Lord,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Yes, I'll keep drinkin' from my saucer, Lord,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

My Cup Has Overflowed.

Copyright © Jimmy Dean


Posted by Paula at 10:16 PM CST
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Thursday, 12 June 2008
Why Bother?
Mood:  on fire
Topic: Stuff To Think About

 

You ever just wonder “why bother?”  I mean, you get all worked up about something, and maybe you write a letter to the editor, or you speak at a civic meeting, or you send an email, or whatever.  There are multitudes of ways you can express your opinion, offer your ideas; even offer to help change things.  And then when you’ve done all that, and the dust settles and nobody seems to care, or sometimes even notice or acknowledge your efforts – you’re left wondering “why even bother?”

 

And then you say to yourself …  “oh yeah, now I remember.  It’s because I care.”  So, go ahead, voice your opinion, stand up for what you believe in … even if nobody else does.  


Posted by Paula at 9:42 AM CDT
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Monday, 2 June 2008
Dreams and Goals
Mood:  happy
Topic: Stuff To Think About

Are dreams and goals the same thing? I don't think so. Not for the most part at least. While I suppose you can work really hard on a dream to make it come true, which would in turn make it a goal, my goals and dreams are two entirely different things.

I have goals. I'm working very hard toward two of those goals. These particular goals are many miles, and perhaps many years down the road. But each day I work diligently toward taking at least one - no matter how small - step toward those goals.

I will get there. Of that I am sure.

When? Of that I am NOT sure!

I have dreams ... some might call them far-fetched, or even fairy-tales .... but whatever they are, they're mine, and I'm hanging on to them. After all where would we be without dreams? Dreams are hope. At least that's the way I see it. And dreams DO come true. This I know for a fact. Many of mine have come true so far. Heck, even some I didnt have, have come true. I've got plenty more where those came from ... and I'm not giving up on them. I believe.

Goals and dreams? Do you have them? Do you think they are the same thing?


Posted by Paula at 5:04 PM CDT
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