DOES GOD EXIST?

(Author Unknown)

This is one of the best explanations on the nature of God that I have ever seen...

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects.

When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: 'I don't believe that God exists.'

'Why do you say that?' asked the customer.

'Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.'

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.

The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.

Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair

and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barbershop again and he said to the barber:

'You know what? Barbers do not exist.'

'How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber. 'I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!'

'No!' the customer exclaimed. 'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.'

'Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me.'

'Exactly!' affirmed the customer. 'That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world.

Children Learn What They Live

If a child lives with criticism he learns to condenm.
If a child lives with hostility he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance he learns to be patient.
If a chid lives with encouragement he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness he learns justice.
If a child lives with security he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship he learns to find love in the world.


Author: Dorothy Law Nolte,
Children Learn What They Live

This and That for 10/18 - 10/24

Quotes For The Week:

"We have His promie; all who believe on Him as their Lord and Savior are made whole and are freed from the bonds of captivity"


" No matter what our past may have held, and no matter how many ture days we have. He stands beside us and loves us."

quotes by Gary Smalley and John Trent
In Search Of The Blessing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Charlie Schulz Philosophy


The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the
'Peanuts' comic strip.


You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them.
Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.


1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4 Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and
actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.


How did you do?


The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These are no second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies..
Awards tarnish..
Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.


Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:


1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4.. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.


Easier?
The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most
credentials..
the most money...or the most awards.
They simply are the ones who care the most

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BOOK REVIEW

Praying God's Will for My Son
Author: Lee Roberts


Lee Roberts has a series of books on Praying God's Will....
---For My Son
---For My Daughter
---For My Husband
---For My Wife
---For My Grandchild
---For My Life
---For My Marriage
---For My Pastor


Whether you are praying for particular needs, strengh, patience, faith --- you will find the perfect prayers inside. With hundreds of prayers grouped according to specific needs and based entirely on Scripture, you will always have within your reach a rich resource of personal, inspirational prayers.


Journaling pages for recording intentions and documenting answers to prayers follow each section.
It is a book of prayers taken directly from God's word and applied to the daily needs and desire of what or who you are praying for.


I have been utilizing the Praying God's Will For My Son to daily and systematically pray for my sons.

Patty B.

Butterfly Wings

Recently while my husband and I were visiting his family in Missouri, we visited the Butterfly House a part of the Missouri Botanical Garden. It was there that I learned about the journey of the butterfly and how it gives birth from the cocoon. The new butterfly must squeeze through an incredible small hole at the end of the cocoon. During this process the fluids from the body are pushed into the wings, causing the wings to be able to have the strength it needs flap and this allows for the butterfly to be able to fly. You can not rush this process – it has to happen all on its own. And if the hole is prematurely cut open the fluid will not flow into the wings, leaving the butterfly with a swollen body and wings that do not have the strength to flap. The story below gives light to this.

Like the butterfly we must endure the pressures, struggles, and heartaches in life in order to develop into a person of strength. As painful as our struggles can be, if we allow it, they can be an opportunity for us to become a stronger person. If we go through life with no struggles, we will not grow as a person and we will be crippled, like the butterfly in the story below. We all face struggles and heartaches in our life and it is the growth out of the pain we face that allows us to develop into a stronger person. We all wish this were not true – but I know, looking back on my life, the struggles and heartaches I have faced have truly made me a stronger person, a better person. And like the butterfly, the process can often be slow and painful in the moment. I also know I will continue to face struggles and pain in the future, but if I allow God in on this process I will get through them, like I have in the past and will in the future – for He is my rock.

“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.”

Psalm 18:2 (NIV)

Written by Patty B. ♥


 

The Story of the Butterfly

(Author Unknown)


A man found a cocoon of a butterfly.
One day a small opening appeared.

He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to squeeze its body through the tiny hole. Then it stopped, as if it couldn't go further.So the man decided to help the butterfly.

He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bits of cocoon. The butterfly emerged easily but it had a swollen body and shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch it, expecting that any minute the wings would enlarge and expand enough to support the body, Neither happened! In fact the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around. It was never able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand: The restricting cocoon and the struggle required by the butterfly to get through the opening was a way of forcing the fluid from the body into the wings so that it would be ready for flight once that was achieved.

A Little of This And A Little of That

Quote For The Week

Thomos Edison tried two thousand different materials in search of a filament for the light bulb. Someone once asked him how he felt about failing more than two thousand times. Edison responded:
"I never failed. This was just a process that had two thousand steps to it."

***********************************************************************************

A LITTLE BIT OF HUMOR

***********************************************************************************

BOOK REVIEW

The Transparent Life
30 Proven Ways to Live Your Best
Author: Naomi Judd

"Let these 30 proven, practical choices inspire you to uncover your best you."

"With unwavering optimism and characteristic inner strength, Naomi stepped out of the spotlight to explore paths that have led to new successful endeavors. Today, she is completely cured of the Hepatitis C virus and uses the strength of her own experiences as spokesperson for the American Liver Foundation. In 1991, Naomi created the houshold name and personal time to raise invaluable awareness of the deadly Hepatitis C virus as well as research funds for the American Liver Foundation.

Though her creativity continues to flow through music and writing, today Naomi also expresses her energy on humanitarian activities, social issues and personal growth education. Her natural ability to act as a translator between academic communities and everyday people makes her a truly unique figure.

Shared by Patty B.♥

This Is My Prayer For You:

That your love will grow more and more;
that you will have knowledge
and understanding with your love;
that you will see the difference
between good and bad and will choose the good;
that you will be pure
and without wrong for the coming of Christ;
that you will do many good things
with the help of Christ
to bring glory and praise to God.
Philippians 1:9-11

Shared by Patty B.

I have been carrying this statement of faith around in my bible for many years. I am not sure where it came from or who the author is, but it really helps me to keep my focus on what is important in life, how I want to live my life, who I want to be and what my purpose in life is.

My Personal Statement of Faith

♥ I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

♥ I have Holy Spirit power.

♥ The die has been cast.

♥ I have stepped over the line.

♥ The decision has been made.

♥I am a follower of Jesus.

♥ I won’t look back, let up, slow down, or back away.

♥ My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.

♥ I am finished with low-living, sight-walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame division, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarf goals.

♥ I no longer need pre-eminence, position, promotion, or popularity.

♥ I don’t have to be first.

♥ I don’t have to be right.

♥ I don’t have to be recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.

♥ I love by faith, lean on His presence, walk by His patience, lift by prayer, and labor by love.

♥ My face is set, my pace is fast, and my goal is heaven.

♥ My road may be narrow, my way may be rough, and my companions may be few, but my Guide is reliable and my mission is clear.

♥ I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.

♥ I will not flinch in the face of adversity, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

♥ I wont’ give up, shut up, or let up until I’ve stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

♥ As His disciple, I must go ‘till He comes, give ‘till I drop, witness ‘till everyone knows, and work ‘till He stops me.
 When He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me, my banner will be clear!

Author Unknown

Shared by Patty B.♥

A Little of This And A Little of That

Quotes For The Week:
      "Invest in the human soul. Who knows it might be a diamond in the rough."
                           by Mary McLeod Bethune
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Grass Stains

When your child comes in with fresh grass stains on jeans of any color, immediately immerse the jeans in cold water. Using dishwashing liquid and a stiff clean brush, scrub until the grass stains come out completely.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LET'S LAUGH

These were some billboards that were getting some attention in Dallas. Here's a list of all variations of the "God Speaks" billboards. The billboards are a simple black background with white text. No fine print of sponsoring organization is included.
1) Let's meet at my house Sunday before the game. -God

2) C'mon over and bring the kids. -God

3)What part of "Thou Shalt Not..." didn't you understand? -God

4) We need to talk. -God

5) Keep using my name in vain, I'll make rush hour longer. -God

6) Loved the wedding, invite me to the marriage. -God

7) That "Love Thy Neighbor" thing... I meant it. - God

8) I love you and you and you and you and... -God

9) Will the road you're on get you to my place? -God

10) Follow me. -God

11) Big bang theory, you've got to be kidding. -God

12) My way is the highway. -God

13) Need directions? -God

14) You think it's hot here? -God

15) Have you read my #1 best seller? There will be a test. -God

16) Do you have any idea where you're going? -God

17) Don't make me come down there. - God
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book Recommendation:

Change Your Heart Change Your LIfe
                Author Dr. Gary Smalley

Dr. Gary Samlley says: "What if I could show you a proven method of increasing your peace of mind, reducing stress to the point that it almost disappears, and increasing the satisfaction in your marriage beyond your wildest dreams? Would you be interested?

Dr. Gary Smalley says your beliefs determine your level of happiness. And to find enduring joy and peace, first learn to recognize and accept the best beliefs that have been proveded for you by the Creator to store in your heart.

This book offers a practical plan for replacing destructive beliefs with the truth that has transformed the liveds of others - proven principles that can help you change your life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another Favorite Recipe fom the National Hotel Kitchen in Jamestown California:

Creme Brulee

2 cups milk

3 cups half & half

4 cups sugar

2 each vanilla bean

18 each egg yolks

Separate egg yolks and place in a large bowl and stir.

In another large bowl, combine the half & half and milk.

Mix in sugar until it is dissolved. Heat mixture in a sauce pan and add two vanilla beans.

Heat milk mixture to a simmer (169-175 degrees). Remove from heat.

Remove vanilla beans from milk mixture, place on a flat surface and split lengthwise. Then, using the dull edge of a knife, scrape out the inside of the beans. Rinse the bean pods in the warm mixture and discard the pods. Mix the scrapings from the bean pod into the milk.

Gradually add the warm milk mixture to the egg yolks, mixing constantly. The mixture should then be ladled into 4 ounce Pyrex custard cups. Then place the cups in a 4 inch deep baking pan, in a half inch of water. Place baking pan on stove top and bring water to a boil. Turn off heat and immediately cover pan with aluminum foil. Carefully place pan in convection oven preheated to 350 degrees for 25 minutes or a regular oven for 30 miutes. Do not over cook, this is crucial to the texture of the finished product.

Shared by Patty B.

Starfish Story

When you think what you say or do may not matter - remember this little story:

You may have heard the story of the young boy seen walking on a long stretch of beach that was covered with starfish. The tide had washed in the little creatures and deposited them on the beach. When the tide went out, the starfish were left stranded and dying. An old man observed the boy as he stooped down, picked up the starfish one by one, and then gently tossed them back into the sea. "young man," he said, "look at all these starfish! There are thousands of them all up and down this beach! Do you really think you're going to make a difference?" The boy stooped down, picked up another starfish, and tossed it into the ocean. "I made a difference to that one." he answered simply.

Shared by Patty B.

Always Live In View of Eternity

I have this acronym “ALIVE” on a post-it note on my desk. A dear friend introduced it to me at a time in my life when I was feelings pretty discouraged and lost. Wherever I go – this post-it note ends up on my desk in one of those little wire picture frame holders. I keep it to remind me of how I should live because it is so easy to loose track of what is important in life, what really matters and where I am going. It helps me focus on the things of God and to let go of the things that, at the time can seem immensely important, but if not of God truly are of little value. I want my life to model a person of integrity and honor, and in this world we can become so distracted by worldly things that our focus gets lost. So I keep this post-it note to bring me back so I don’t become so discouraged in life to no longer care. Days and months can go by and I can forget this little post-it note is there. But then there are days, like today, when I need it the most to remind me to “always live in view of eternity.” I hope you will copy this and put in a place where you too will be reminded of the Hope you have and where to place your focus so you can “always live in view of eternity.”

Written by Patty B.

This N That

Quote for the week

Ask yourself, "what difference will this thing we're fighting about make in ten years? In one year? In a month?


-- Author Unknown
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Book Recommendation

"Windows Of The Soul"

by Ken Gire

Windows of the Soul is a rare book, resounding with the cry for communion that is both ours and God's. With passion, honesty, and beauty, Ken Gire calls us to a fresh sensitivity to God's voice speaking through the unexpected parables that surround us: a child's need for significance...the misunderstood sadness of a Van Gogh masterpiece...the eloquence of sunlight dancing on water...


Windows of the Soul will open you eyes to a fresh way of seeig, hearing, and enjoying th presence of God in your life.

Favorite Recipe from the National Hotel Kitchen in Jamestown California

Raspberry Vinaigrette~ Their most popular dressing


1 large egg
3/4 cup granulated sugar
16 oz. or 1 pint salad oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 raspberries (pureed & strained)


Combine eggs and vinegar in blender. Slowly add 1 pint salad oil.
Add sugar and raspberries. Mix well.


Makes approximately 1 pint or 16 1oz servings.


Went with some friends (Corinne and her husband) to dinner there last night and had this dressing - Yummy!!!!

What if there isn't "anymore"?

Author Unknown

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore".

No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute."

Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you."

So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick.

This is true for marriage.....And old cars... And children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.

Life is important, like people we know who are special.. And so, we keep them close!

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back. And just in case I'm gone tomorrow:

I LOVE YA!!!

Live today because tomorrow is not promised.

Shared by Patty B. ♥

The Flood

Author Unknown

Once upon a time there was a man of great faith. The man lived in a small town. One day it began to rain. The rain continued until the streets in the town began to flood. The mayor sent police officers through the streets, knocking on doors and shouting through bullhorns for the citizens to evacuate their homes. But the man said, "No, I will not evacuate, God will save me."

The waters continued to rise until the man was forced to climb the stairs to the second floor of his home. Soon the mayor sent the fire department on rafts through the streets of the town. They called to the man to get into the raft. But the man shouted from his second floor window, "No, I will not get into a raft. God will save me."

The rain fell heavily and soon the water rose above the second floor. Now the man had to climb to the roof of the house. The mayor sent the rescue squad in a helicopter. They dropped a rope ladder and shouted over the din of the propeller blades for the man to grab onto the ladder. But the man called back, "No, I will not take hold of your ladder. God will save me."

Soon the flood waters rose even higher and washed the man off his roof, and he drowned in th raging current.

When the man reached heaven, he angrily banged on the gates and demanded to see God. After some negotiation, he was taken to the Throne. The man said, "I am a man of great faith. Why didn't you save me?"

And God replied, "Well, I sent you police officers...the fire department...the rescue squad..."

Shared by Patty B. ♥

Carrot Cake

This is a family cake we have been enjoying for years. The cake is very moist and yummy!
Patty B.

Cake:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups wession oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 eggs
3 cups shredded carrots
1 cup chopped nuts
2 cups sugar

Cream sugar and oil together, add beaten eggs and mix well. Sift dry ingredience together and add to cake mixture. Add carrots and nuts last.

Bake in greased cake pan at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

Frosting:

4 oz. cream cheese
3/4 cube butter
1/2 box powder sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
few drops milk

Mix all above ingredence together.

Frost cake when cool and enjoy!

Household Hints and Tips

Alternative household uses for Bounce softener sheets:

1) Musty book smells: It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.

2)Eliminates static electricity from your television screen. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling. Works for venetian blinds too.

3) Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.

4) Freshen the air in your home. Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.

5) Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.

6) Freshen the air in your car. Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.

7) Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight so they wll smell better in the AM.

8) Repels mosquitoes: Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop or place one in your pocket when outdoors during mosquito season. (I heard this one really does not work)

A Native American Tale

A young boy came across his grandfather sitting quietly and asked, "Grandfather, what are you doing?" The Grandfather whispered back, "There are two wolves fighting in my head." "Who will win?" asked the child. "The one that I feed," replied the wise old man.

                                   Author Unknown   

Shared by Patty B.                         

Book Review

The Secret Things of God

written by Dr. Henry Cloud

This book is a positive Christian alternative to the best selling book The Secret. It reveals the "secret things of God" - secrets about God, about happiness, about relationships, and about your purpose. These tested spiritual truths reveal principles that make life work.

Author Dr. Henry Cloud clearly and simply shares truths that have the proven ability to fill you with security, hope, purpose, and meaning - and make your life work. Cloud also explains how these truths, found in Judeo-Christian teachings, intersect and interface with the spiritual longings expressed in the principles found in The Secret and similar books; he further reveals where biblical truth transcends and differs from these principles. Recognizing and applauding the universal search for truth and connection with a power beyond the human. Cloud leads readers into relationship with a personal God who loves them and has given all to save them.

I recommend The Secret Things of God
Patty Billingham

Quote for the week...

Sow a thought and you reap an Act,
Sow an Act and you reap a Habit,
Sow a Habit and you reap a Character,
Sow a Character and you reap a Destiny.  
                             Author Unknown

Shared by Patty B.

JUST FOR TODAY

1. Just for today I will be happy. This assumes that what Abraham Lincoln said is true, that "most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Happiness is from within; it is not a matter of externals.


2. Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my family, my business, and my luck as they come and fit myself to them.

3. Just for today I will take care of my body. I will exercise it, care for it, nourish it, not abuse nor neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my bidding.


4. Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

5. Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways; I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. I will do at least two things I don't want to do as William James suggests, just for exercise.


6. Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress as becomingly as possible, talk low, act courteously, be liberal with praise, criticize not at all, nor fault with anything and not try to regulate nor improve anyone.


7. Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not to tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do things for twelve hours that would appall me if I had to keep them up for a lifetime.


8. Just for today I will have a program. I will write down what I expect to do every hour. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. It will eliminate two pests, hurry and indecision.


9. Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax. In this half hour sometimes I will think of God, so as to get a little more perspective into my life.


10. Just for today I will be unafraid, especially I will not be afraid to be happy, to enjoy what is beautiful, to love, and to believe that those I love, love me.


Written by Sybyl F Partridge in 1916 and printed in
"How To Stop Worrying, And Start Living" by Dale Carnegie, 1951


Shared by Patty B. ♥