Obstacles?

I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
- Christopher Reeve

Here is a quote from one of my heros. This man was more incredible after his accident than before. He showed overwhelming grace and perseverence in spite of what life dealt him. I only hope that I can overcome the obstacles with only a portion of the poise with which he faced lifes challenges. Christopher Reeves was truly a man who stood tall among men though confined to a wheelchair. What a man-What a hero!

Relax a Little!

The most important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative, and the second disastrous.
- Margot Fonteyn

I really like Margot's quote on this one. Lighten up on yourself occasionally and live life--it goes by way too fast! By taking yourself too seriously, you lose out on some of the fun spontaneous things in life that helps generate lifetime memories. BTW I have yet to read on someone's tombstone, "I wished I had worked more." Enjoy life! Do your work with all diligence but live life with reckless abandon!

Quote: B. D. Gulledge

I used to sit on the banks with a raft and watch the water roll lazily by. One day I pushed my raft into the shallows of the water and found the water moved swifter than I thought. My raft was actually a boat. Then, after some time, I rowed my little boat into deeper water. There were great storms, mighty winds, tremendous waves, and sometimes I felt so alone. But I have noticed my little rowboat is now a mighty ship manned by my friends and loved ones; and beautiful calm seas, warm sunny days, and nights filled with comfortable dreams always double after a storm. Now, I could never go back and sit on the bank. In fact, I search for deeper water. Such is life when lived.
- B. D. Gulledge

Once you have experienced the wonderful and powerful things of life you will never want to return to the status quo! And so it is with God- once you have experienced the mighty and powerful, the average walk seems so lifeless.

Quote: Johann von Goethe

Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though t'were his own.- Johann von Goethe

Creating A New Ending

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. - Anonymous

Balance the Government's Budget

Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job.
I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government
distributes my taxes as they see fit. In order to get
that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test,
which I have no problem with. What I do have a problem
with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't
have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a
urine test to get a welfare check? I have to pass one to
earn it for them.

Please understand, I have no problem with helping people
get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a
problem with helping someone sit on their buttocks. Can you
imagine how much money the state would save if people had
to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check.
-Anonymous-

Incredible! I like this person's thinking. If we really did make those receiving public assistance take and give a clean urine sample in order to receive their checks we may be able to balance the budget. I am not against public assistance for those truly in need until they can get a job. I am tired, however, of paying dope using coach potatoes with my hard earned monies. Can I get an Amen! Done gone to preaching now. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Quit Standin' Around

It is time for us to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever, the one who recognizes the challenge and does something about it.
- Vince Lombardi

We need to stop encouraging those who will never "do" but applaud those who have "done"! Maybe, then just maybe, those who aren't doing, will see the value of doing, and get something done. I have made up my mind that I am going to make a BIG deal of those who do rise to the challenge and achieve.

Power to Succeed

The power to SUCCEED is in your hands. Failure happens only when YOU decide to let it go.

Quote from Carol Buchner

They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you make them feel.
- Carol Buchner

Wow, what a powerful and true statement!

A BIG THANK YOU

As pastor of the greatest church in California, the Apostolic Gospel Church of Delano, I want to say THANK YOU to all those that attended Monday Night Prayer! Wow, it was great and powerful! Sincerely you are a great people! Happy Birthday Sis. Joy Atchison!

Surely NOT?!

Is it possible or even concievable that our next president could be either Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton? I'm neither prejudice nor a male chauvanist but I am worried if either of these politicians win the White House. Sen. Obama's lack of experience and Sen. Clinton's lack of intellecual expertise frankly has me worried. Look at Sen. Clinton's past attempt at reforming medical insurance-doesn't that show her creative ability? What a disaster! Then Sen. Obama can't tell if he is Christian or Muslim. If can't make up his mind about what his religion is, do you think he can make timely decisions about our government? Now where does that leave America if one of them get into office?

GOOD LIVING

No pleasure philosophy, no sensuality, no place nor power, no material success can for a moment give such inner satisfaction as the sense of living for good purposes, for maintenance of integrity, for the preservation of self-approval.
- Minot Simons

People Are Born Evil

Born within man is the inherent nature to be mean and cruel. The Bible shows that, "man was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did our mother conceive us." We don't teach children to lie and steal: it is in the inherent nature of people. We as parents must teach our children to suppress this desire, and teach them how to become good law-abiding citizens. It is imperative that children understand that the Law of Liberty comes only when one is totally sold out to God and under submission to His authority. When one turns away from God or no longer represses the spirit of man then it is easy to revert to the monster living inside each of us. It was not originally so, but the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden changed the entire complexion of what man was designed to be. Instead, it was at that moment that man became evil, causing Cain to kill Abel. If we are civilized it is only because we have learned to live that way from someone who has chosen to live a socially accepted lifestyle.