Sistem Poin

Seorang pria meninggal dunia dan rohnya pergi ke Surga. Di gerbang Surga ia disambut oleh Petrus.

Petrus berkata, "Inilah syarat untuk masuk ke Surga. Engkau memerlukan 100 poin untuk masuk. Caranya, sebutkan semua perbuatan baik yang telah engkau lakukan semasa hidupmu. Tiap-tiap perbuatan baik akan diberi poin sesuai dengan derajat kebaikannya. Kalau engkau sudah mencapai 100 poin maka engkau berhak menjadi penghuni Surga."

"Baiklah," kata orang tersebut, "saya telah menikah selama 50 tahun dan tidak pernah berselingkuh maupun berbohong terhadap istriku walau di dalam pikiran sekalipun."

"Itu bagus," kata Petrus, "nilainya 3 poin!"

"Tiga poin?!" kata orang itu dengan sedikit kecewa. "Baiklah, saya selalu hadir dalam setiap kebaktian Minggu selama hidup saya. Saya selalu membayar perpuluhan dan mendukung penuh pelayanan pekerjaan Tuhan di gereja."

"Luar biasa!" kata Petrus. "Hal ini sudah pasti menghasilkan 1 poin."

"Satu poin?!?" keluhnya; sekarang ia benar-benar merasa cemas. "Saya menjadi pelopor dapur umum untuk orang-orang miskin di kota saya dan saya bekerja di tempat penampungan untuk para veteran perang yang tidak punya rumah."

"Hebat! Itu berarti engkau memiliki tambahan 2 poin lagi," kata Petrus.

"Dua poin!?" orang itu berteriak. "Dengan sistem penilaian seperti ini, satu-satunya cara untuk dapat masuk ke Surga hanyalah dengan kasih anugerah Tuhan!"

Petrus mengangguk dan berkata, "Tepat, 100 poin untuk engkau! Masuklah anakku."

Four Beautiful Stories ?

- Marsha Jordan

---

STORM DEBRIS

After some friends lost their home in a tornado, I helped them clean up what was left. There wasn't much. Where their house had once stood was a refrigerator. That's all. Destruction was everywhere. Debris covered the yard and the nearby woods. All day we sorted through the rubble, hoping to find intact some piece of our friends' lives. We could rescue only a few belongings. We uncovered some important papers, a few small personal items, and a handful of photos - not very much to represent an entire lifetime. I'm sure the family treasures these mementos because they're all that remains from their pre-tornado life.

Like the devastating winds of a tornado, I've felt trouble beat against my life. Hardships blow into every life, threatening to knock down all that we value. In the wreckage, we can usually find some valuable treasures, if our eyes are open to recognize them and our hearts are open to receive them.

As long as we're in this world, we will have tribulation. (John 16:33) But this Bible verse also says, "In me you may have peace." How can we have peace amid tribulation? Peace doesn't result from the removal of unpleasant circumstances. It comes from releasing our own plans and being open to God's plan. Rest comes from fixing our eyes on Him instead of on circumstances. It comes from giving up on living for myself and living for Him instead.

From God's vantage point, there is no true debris. I'm confident that He is in the midst of any storm, and I try to keep my eyes open to see the gift He gives with the rubble. He has promised that, for those who love Him, He'll bring blessings out of storms.

* * * *
Additional Thought To Ponder: Adversity is like a strong wind.

You can struggle against it or you can let it carry you in a new direction

* * * *


CUPCAKES, CHEETOS, AND COOKIES, Oh My!

Are you the type of person who eats when you're stressed? I am. I eat when I'm stressed, when I'm sad, when I'm happy, and when I'm tired. I believe there's a food for every mood.

I eat for any reason at any time. I eat when I'm watching television, I eat while riding in the car, and I even eat while sitting at the computer. There are enough crumbs in my keyboard to feed a troupe of boy scouts. Every once in a while, I just shake it over the table and announce to the husband,"Dinner's ready!"

I eat too much, too often. Since I was a kid, I've had a weight problem. I could never weight for the next meal. I began wearing a girdle to school in kindergarten, and I've been on diets for most of my life.

I recently began yet another new eating regimen. Forbidden food groups include appetizers and desserts, anything processed or fried, and anything with meat or dairy products in it. I must also avoid all foods seen on TV commercials or restaurant menus. I cannot eat anything prepared by my grandma, Aunt Hildegard, my third cousin twice removed, or any other member of the family. It's called the Oriental Diet. I can eat all I want from the specified food list (celery, kale, bok choi, and those tiny ears of corn), but I must use only one chopstick.

This week, I've failed miserably at sticking to my eating plan. I've had an insatiable appetite for junk food. In addition to a dumpster load of Hostess Twinkies, I've devoured roughly eleven cases of raspberry Fig Newtons and eight and a half pounds of extra crunchy Cheetos. I can't be sneaky about it either. When the husband asks if I've eaten all the Cheetos, how can I look innocent when my fingers and teeth are orange?

Wouldn't you think that after stuffing myself with junk food all week I'd be satisfied? I'm not. In fact, the more I eat, the more I crave. If I continue this way, I'll need a front end loader to lift my carcass out of the Lazy Boy.

To make matters worse, I don't get enough exercise. But I really can't do much that's physical, because I think I pulled a fat cell. I'm barely able to crawl to the kitchen for six square meals a day.

I really need to lose weight. I want to know how it feels to bend over and tie my shoes without cutting off the blood supply above my waist and feeling as if my intestines are being pushed out my ears. It would be great to zip my jeans without fainting from lack of oxygen. So I must get back on track. I'll paste on my refrigerator door that old proverb uttered by some wise sage: "If it tastes good, spit it out."

From now on, I'll plan my meals around a main dish of parsley. Only
nutritional foods will pass my lips, like rutabagas, spinach, and celery -- stuff that takes half an hour to chew. By the time I swallow them, my aching jaws will be too tired to munch extra-crunchy Cheetos or anything else. Now if I could only figure out a way to make veggies taste like turtle cheesecake.

To keep my weight down and my arteries clean, I must eat health-restoring foods. Similarly, keeping my spiritual arteries open and flowing freely requires health food for my soul. Whoever coined the phrase "Garbage in, garbage out" knew what he was talking about. When I dump into my spirit things that I'm better off without, they transform my perceptions, attitude, and actions. The result can be just as shocking as that horror-filled moment when I view my cellulite-riddled body in Wal-mart's dressing room mirror.

So, I've made two resolutions. One is to strengthen my body and fuel it with life-sustaining foods. Also, I'll incorporate into my lifestyle more exercise than just aerobic eating and lifting extra large Hershey bars. I'll start slowly with the goal of working up to three sit ups a day. And instead of walking, I'll jog from my bed to the table.

I also plan to exercise my faith and feast spiritually on the word of God. This will be easier and much more palatable than a physical diet; and it will keep my sin-sick, love-starved soul in tip-top health. Bible study is the meat that gives me strength for handling stress and a clear mind to make good decisions. And, unlike Chinese food, it doesn't leave me feeling empty in an hour.

Jeremiah 15:16 says, "When your words came, I ate them; and they were my joy and my heart's delight." Jesus promised that whoever hungers and thirsts for righteousness will be satisfied, and Psalm 63:5 testifies, "My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods."

I feel better already.

*****
Additional Thought To Ponder:

"Taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8)

* * * * *

TRUE RICHES

Do you know anybody who gambles on the slot machines in Las Vegas? Most people like the idea of having money spill out of a machine into their pockets, but that's not likely to happen.

Even though I don't gamble and I don't have a high paying job, I am rich because I possess a treasure greater than money. It provides great joy, it helps me get to heaven, and it can change my life on earth. It's free and available to anyone. It's a love letter written from the heart of the all-powerful creator of the world. It's the Bible.

If God suddenly appeared before us and wanted to chat, wouldn't we drop
everything and pay close attention to what He had to say? Yet, we have a
written message from Him and many of us ignore it. We would get excited about meeting the president, famous athletes, or movie stars. Why don't we show the same enthusiasm and awe when we encounter the highest power in the universe through His written word?

Is your Bible hidden away on a shelf? Do you even own one? In some
countries, it's illegal to read the Bible. In others, Bibles are so expensive that only the wealthy can afford them. I have five Bibles in my house, but most families around the globe have none; and they'd be grateful for an opportunity just to borrow one periodically.

Do you appreciate the treasure that's sitting on your coffee table collecting dust? Do you take advantage of our freedom to study the wisdom contained in this book?

I don't need to gamble in Vegas for riches. The greatest treasure in this
world is available to me wherever I am. It may be as close as my corner
bookshelf.

* * * *
Additional Thought To Ponder:

"I rejoice at Your Word as one who finds great treasure." (Psalm 119:162)

* * * *

CAN YOU HEAR ME?

As we age, the hearing and eye sight are usually the first things to go, but my memory beat them to it. My smarts checked out of Hotel Cerebellum long ago.

My four-year-old grandson, frustrated by my poor memory, suggested that I
visit a "head doctor." When I asked why, he told me, "You need somebody to
help you think smarter because you have a bad brain."

It's sad when a preschooler realizes that he's smarter than you are. The
kid's not even in kindergarten and he's outgrown me.
I'm reminded of something the Bible says about people who have trouble
seeing, hearing and understanding.

"Therefore I speak to them in parables," Jesus said, "because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand . . . " (Matthew 13:13) Why do some people not hear, see, and understand what God tells them? It's not a communication problem. It's a heart problem.
"For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of
hearing, and their eyes they have closed, . . . lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." (Matthew 13:15) Though God speaks to us through the Bible, we can be slow to understand. Our hearts are not receptive. We have selective hearing.

We all need to open our eyes and ears to see and hear not just what we want to see and hear, but what God is trying to communicate to us!

* * * *
Additional Thought To Ponder:

A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. (Author unknown)

* * * *

---

***************************************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Marsha Jordan is a disabled grandmother, author, and shower singer who began her writing career on the bathroom walls of St. Joseph's Catholic Elementary School. Now her writing appears in restrooms throughout the country.Jordan has two boys, ages 30 and 55. She's been married to the 55 year old for 31 years.

She's been held captive for a quarter of a century In the north woods of Wisconsin where she shares an empty nest with her rocket scientist husband and their badly behaved toy poodle, King Louie who rules the household with an iron paw. Jordan, who has eaten enough chocolate to make the Guinness Book of Records, spends her days ignoring her dirty oven and dreaming of the things she'd like to do but probably never will -- including overcoming the trauma of class picture day in second grade. Her hobbies (besides eating and napping) include rubber stamping, collecting antiques, riding her pet pig Shirley, and studying do-it-yourself dentistry.

After her grandson was badly burned, Jordan created The HUGS and HOPE Foundation, a nonprofit charity devoted to cheering critically ill and injured children.

Jordan's inspirational and humorous essays are available in her new book, "Hugs, Hope, and Peanut Butter." The book is illustrated with drawings by kids who are battling for life. To learn more visit hugsandhope.org/pb.htm

By combining hope with humor and drawing upon her own experience of living with chronic pain and depression, Jordan shares everyday experiences, lessons she's learned, and practical coping skills. Once active and energetic, her busy schedule came to a halt when she fell victim to a connective tissue disease, causing migraines, fatigue, fibromyalgia, and joint pain. Due to illness complications, Jordan was temporarily struck blind; so she knows how it feels to be sick, in pain and afraid.

In her book, Jordan (Phyllis Diller wannabe) recounts her search for the perfect purse, camping adventures, aging without grace, and dealing with her "very male" husband. Some chapter titles include, "Limburger Attitude, "The Joy of Shopping," "Is Broccoli Hazardous?" and "Life in the Manure Pile."

Jordan has received many awards for her work with children, and was featured in Rosie Magazine as well as on WGN television's Unsung Heroes program. She's had devotionals and stories published in "A Cup of Comfort" and other anthologies. Her articles have appeared in "Heart Light" and "Obadiah" magazines. Jordan is a regular columnist for "Handmaidens" magazine and "My Walk With Jesus" Christian newspaper; and she has contributed to over 50 online newsletters and e-zines, such as "Heart Warmers," "Power to Share," and "Warm Fuzzy Stories."

Between writing, running a nonprofit charity from her home, and enjoying time with her grandson, Jordan devotes herself to three pursuits: white chocolate, dark, chocolate, and milk chocolate

Bajaj Butut

Sumber:www.glorianet.org

Sore hari aku keluar dari Pasar Baru untuk pulang ke rumah. Pas sampai di pangkalan bajaj ternyata bajaj urutan pertama yang ada disitu adalah sebuah bajaj butut sekaliiii! Dilihat dari bodynya saja sudah terlihat bahwa bajaj itu bentuknya tidak seperti bajaj biasa. Sempat terpikir sebaiknya aku memilih bajaj yang lain saja. Namun niat itu tidak kesampaian karena begitu aku mau pergi ternyata abang bajaj butut langsung menawarkan jasanya kepadaku. Akhirnya dengan mantap aku naik ke bajaj itu.

Selama perjalanan aku sempat memperhatikan bagian dalam bajaj yang kutumpangi dan aku semakin yakin bahwa bajaj tersebut memang sangat parah keadaannya. Bangkunya tidak seempuk bangku bajaj biasa. Karena begitu aku duduk langsung terasa kalau bangku itu tidak dilapisi busa. Atapnya penuh dengan tempelan plastik, maksudnya supaya kalau hujan tidak bocor. Selain itu setiap kali belok ditikungan dan direm untuk mengurangi kecepatan, selalu terdengar bunyi ckek..ckek...ckek... seperti gejala mesin yang mau mati. Tiba-tiba sepintas terlintas dalam pikiran seandainya tadi aku tidak memilih bajaj ini, abang bajaj itu tentu akan merasa sedih. Karena meskipun dia ada di urutan pertama tapi tidak ada orang yang mau memakai bajajnya. Sambil menikmati pengapnya bajaj, aku teringat dengan kata-kata "Kalau mau melayani jangan pernah pilih-pilih orang." Kalimat yang sering kuucapkan kepada teman-teman, hampir saja aku lupakan pada saat aku tadi berniat memilih bajaj lain yang kondisinya lebih baik.

Sebagai manusia aku sering kali membayangkan bahwa Tuhan yang kita cari dan rindukan hanya akan hadir manakala kita rajin berdoa di gereja, setia melayani, rajin memberi persembahan dan membayar perpuluhan. Padahal dalam hidup sehari-hari sosok Tuhan seringkali dapat kita temukan diantara orang-orang yang mungkin tidak pernah kita kehendaki seperti pengemis pinggir jalan, pengamen, pedagang asongan didalam bus, tukang ojek, teman kantor dan lain-lain.

Tuhan, beri aku kepekaan yang lebih lagi, sehingga bisa memperoleh kesempatan untuk melihat sosokMu pada setiap orang yang ku jumpai. Semoga juga aku bisa melayani lebih baik lagi dari hari ke hari, dengan keyakinan bahwa segala sesuatu yang aku lakukan untuk salah seorang dari saudaraku yang paling hina, sesungguhnya aku telah melakukannya juga untuk Tuhanku (Matius 25:40).

Perkataan yang Mendatangkan kasih karunia

Salah satu buah pelayanan yang penting adalah buah-buah perkataan kita di dalam hubungan antar sesama. Kata-kata kita sangatlah dahsyat, karena ia dapat membangun atau meruntuhkan, menghidupkan atau membunuh, memberi semangat atau memadamkan semangat. Kata-kata kita dapat mendatangkan kasih karunia atau mendatangkan kerusakan dan kehancuran. Paulus berkata, "Janganlah ada perkataan kotor keluar dari mulutmu, tetapi pakailah perkataan yang baik untuk membangun, di mana perlu, supaya mereka yang mendengarnya, beroleh kasih karunia." (Ef 4:29).

Kata-kata yang rusak tidak mendatangkan kasih karunia, tapi menghancurkan orang lain. Menurut Larry Crabb, kata-kata yang tidak membangun orang lain adalah:

1. Perkataan basa-basi
Kata-kata yang diucapkan untuk menyenangkan orang lain. Kata-kata yang diucapkan hanya untuk melindungi diri agar terlihat baik dan hebat. Contoh: "Saya akan mendoakan." atau "Kalau ada masalah jangan segan-segan menelepon saya." Kebanyakan kata-kata yang demikian tidak datang dari hati yang memang sungguh-sungguh ingin melayani orang lain, tetapi lebih banyak karena basa-basi, supaya terlihat baik dan rohani.

2. Perkataan mematikan
Perkataan yang menghancurkan orang lain adalah kata-kata yang diucapkan dengan keterbukaan total, tanpa mempertimbangkan kesiapan orang lain yang mendengarkannya, atau kata-kata yang tajam yang menyakiti orang lain. Contoh: "Saya tidak perduli, saya orangnya memang begini, siapapun saya labrak." "Kamu memang tidak berguna, masa depan kamu pasti jelek."
Mari, kita mempergunakan kata-kata yang dapat membangun iman orang lain. Sebab melalui perkataan yang kita ucapkan dapat mendatangkan kasih karunia kepada orang yang mendengarkannya. Hal ini akan membuat mereka yang mendengarnya akan mendapatkan kasih karunia untuk memuliakan Allah, Bapa kita di sorga.

Sumber: http://www.abbalove.org/

Gigi palsu yang bertuah

Seorang pendeta mengalami sebuah kecelakaan mobil yang mengakibatkan semua gigi depannya rontok. Ia merasa sangat sedih dan kecewa mengalami musibah itu. Ia lalu terpaksa memakai gigi palsu.

Suatu saat pendeta ini diutus untuk memberitakan Injil kedaerah pedalaman yang belum terjangkau oleh Injil. Orang-orang pedalaman ini masih primitif, di mana mereka banyak menangkap orang lalu membunuhnya. Bapak pendeta ini akhirnya juga tertangkap. Ia merasa dua kali kecewa. Dahulu giginya rontok, dan sekarang nyawanya terancam.

Di dalam kurungan, ia kemudian menanggalkan gigi palsunya untuk dibersihkan sambil bersiul. Ketika hal itu di lihat oleh orang-orang pedalaman, mereka menjadi sangat ketakutan melihat "KESAKTIAN" pendeta itu, yang dengan mudah menanggal gigi dan memasangnya kembali seperti semula. Peristiwa itu di laporkan kepada raja mereka. Semua mangangap bahwa pendeta itu adalah penjelmaan dewa sakti yang turun dari langit.

Hanya dengan sederet gigi palsu, orang-orang disana akhirnya mau mendengarkan, menerima Injil, bertobat, dan menerima Tuhan Yesus sebagai Juruselamat pribadi mereka.

Sumber: Secangkir Sup Bagi jiwa anda 1 (Timotius Adi Tan, Metanoia Publishing)

Friends are God's way of taking care of us

- By an Anonymous Metro Denver Hospice Physician

---

I just had one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and wanted to share it with my family and dearest friends.

I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the "quickie mart" building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a Gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.

When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying " don't want my kids to see me crying," so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, "And you were praying?" That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, "He heard you, and He sent me."

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the Car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City . Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan 1, and finally in desperation had finally called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.

I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, "So, are you like an angel or something?"

This definitely made me cry. I said, "Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people."

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...

Psalms 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

ADA KEKUATAN DALAM HIDUP

Berdoa dengan iman " ( Yakobus 1:6-7 ) "

Saat makan siang dengan beberapa teman, salah seorang dokter bedah
bertanya kepada saya," dokter, operasi terhebat apakah yang pernah anda
lakukan?"

Saya bingung harus menjawab operasi yg mana. Saya sudah banyak melakukan
operasi dan semuanya menuntut keahlian, kesabaran, ketelitian yg tinggi.

Kemudian saya teringat pada operasi yg dijalani oleh gadis kecil yg hanya
mempunyai harapan 10% saja untuk hidup.

Malam itu para perawat membawa seorang gadis kecil yg berwajah pucat masuk
keruang operasi. waktu itu pikiran saya sedang dipenuhi berbagai macam
persoalan yang berat. ketika para perawat sedang mempersiapkan pembiusan,
gadis kecil ini bertanya kepada saya ....

"Dokter bolehkah saya menanayakan sesuatu ?"

"Ya sayang, apa yg ingin kamu tanyakan?"....

"Setiap malam sebelum tidur saya selalu berdoa, skrg sebelum operasi
dimulai, bolehkah saya berdoa?"......

"Baiklah anak manis, engkau memang harus berdoa, jgn lupa berdoa jg untuk
saya.".........

Kemudian gadis kecil itu melipat kedua tanganya dan berdoa......
"Yesus, engkau gembala yang baik, berkatilah domba kecilMu malam ini.
Dalam kegelapan, kiranya Engkau dekat denganku, lindungi aku sampai
datangnya sinar mentari esok pagi. " dan berkati pula dokter yg akan
mengoperasiku."

Setelah menutup doanya gadis kecil itu berkata " sekarang saya sudah siap
dokter.
Mata saya berkaca2, melihat betapa besar iman yang dimiliki gadis kecil
tersebut. Malam itu sebelum saya mulai operasi, saya berdoa......

" Tuhan yg baik, engkau boleh tidak membantuku dalam operasi yang lain, tp
kali ini bantulah aku untuk menyelamatkan gadis kecil ini," kemudian saya
mulai mengoperasi gadis kecil itu dan keajaiban terjadi, dia
disembuhkan.

Saat berpisah dan melepas gadis kecil itu untuk kembali ke rumah, maka
saya sadar sesungguhnya sayalah " pasien" yg menjalani operasi iman. Gaya
hidup gadis kecil itu mengajarkan bahwa jika kita menyerahkan seluruh
masalah dan beban hidup kita ke dalam tangan Tuhan, maka Dia akan
memulihkan dan menolong kita.

Doa dan iman !......

Membuat kita yakin bahwa Tuhan mampu memelihara dan menjaga harapan yang
kita gantungkan kepadaNya.

Doa menjadikan iman sebuah kenyataan. Doa yg dinaikkan dengan iman akan
menghapuskan kekuatiran di dalam hati kita, sehingga doa itu akan
mendatangkan mujizat.
Tidak ada yg mustahil bagi orang yang percaya kepadaNya, karena itu
tetaplah berdoa dengan penuh kenyakinan dan pengharapan di dalam nama
Tuhan Yesus Kristus.

Yohanes 16:24
"Sudahkah kamu berdoa dengan iman ????? mintalah maka kamu akan menerima
dengan penuh sukacita.........."

Calling All Angels

By: John Minard

---

After driving north for several hours through sprawling greater Detroit, I was ready for a few days vacation in beautiful northern Michigan. But the TV that morning and the news on the radio were taking a toll on my normally upbeat disposition—more soldiers killed in Iraq, increased American hatred abroad, deeper intransigence in the Middle East, dire predictions about the US economy and poor job figures. Each story was weighted with negative commentary, doom and political finger-pointing.

As I entered the sparsely populated woodlands of northwestern Michigan, most of the radio stations were fading out, so I pushed the seek button. It sputtered almost all the way around the dial before settling on the one clear station available.

A rock song I'd never heard before filled the airwaves, and the words hit me like a message from heaven.

I need a sign to let me know you're here
'Cause my TV set just keeps it all from being clear
I want a reason for the way things have to be
I need a hand to help build up some kind of hope inside of me.
And I'm calling all angels
I'm calling all you angels

"Calling All Angels," by Train, spoke directly to me. At that moment, those particular lyrics were just what I needed to wake me out of the blue funk of commiserating over the world's problems.

The song called for a heavenly sign of hope, an angelic aid to help make sense of it all. But I also felt the song had another subtle message: that these angels of hope could be called forth within each of us. Finding my own inner angels would mean feeling the refreshing inspiration of pure goodness, of God, washing away any view I had of a declining material world. This was an inspiring idea to me.

It all made sense later, when I came across this apt description by Mary Baker Eddy: "The footsteps of thought, rising above material standpoints, are slow, and portend a long night to the traveller; but the angels of His presence—the spiritual intuitions that tell us when 'the night is far spent, the day is at hand'—are our guardians in the gloom." (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures)

My "guardians in the gloom" were telling me something that night: I could play the devil's advocate by wallowing in the reported problems of the world, or I could be the angel's advocate by looking for some way to contribute to solutions.

I needed to call forth, within myself, more angel ideas, to see how to be part of the solution, even for worldwide issues. I started by consciously quieting my concerns and fears about the news, and opening my thought to hearing whatever divine ideas came. It was my way of "calling all angels." And they came!

One answer was to use the Internet to offer a constructive spiritual solution to a problem in the news. During the next few days, and on the trip home, I felt energized to write an article exploring a spiritual way to reverse dishonesty and corruption. It was later published on several Web sites for everyone in the world to read.

After I got home, I found a few Internet discussion forums relating to the Iraq war. With my contributions I attempted to turn the discussions from a tone of blame and criticism, to the more spiritual concept of harmonious coexistence between all peoples of the world.

Other angel messages suggested improvements I could make closer to home. I needed to be more loving toward my wife and our young son. I love them very much, but I learned I needed to express that love more overtly, in ways most meaningful to them. The answer came in such forms as more hugs, walks in the woods, more patient listening to my wife, taking the baby on little trips and errands, reading to him more, etc.

These little angel messages have never failed to bring good advice, and to lift my thought above selfish concerns. Yet, they only come when called — when my thought is quietly receptive to divine inspiration.

Perhaps this is how God works in our lives. God's thoughts, our inner angels, are always available, but we must call them forth — be spiritually receptive to hear and respond to them. And like a wise father they'll whisper just the right idea at just the right moment.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: John Minard has been in the practice of spiritual healing for over twenty years. As a Christian Science Practitioner based in Philadelphia, USA, John helps others find healing cures and spiritual value in their lives using the prayer-based system as explained in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy. Exploring the spiritual nature of God and man as His/Her image and likeness, well being is found for physical, mental, emotional, relationship, and financial problems. John also writes and works via the Internet. He can be reached at johnminard@mail.com. For more information on Science and Health visit http://www.spirituality.com.

Kisah dua ekor kambing

"Dua ekor kambing gunung bertemu disuatu jalan setapak yang sempit yang hanya dapat dilewati oleh salah satu diantara mereka. Di sebelah kiri mereka terdapat jurang yang dalam dan di sebelah kanan ada sebuah danau. Kedua binatang itu salaing berpandangan. Apa yang harus mereka lakukan?mereka tidak dapat berjalan balik karena terlalu berbahaya.mereka jug atidak dapat berputar karena jalan setapak itu terlalu sempit.
Salah satu kambing tiba-tiba berbaring dijalan yang sempit, dan mengembik memberi tanda kepada kambing yagn lain supaya berjalan diatasnya. Dan, selamatlah keduanya dari kecelakaan.
Kambing-kambing itu tidak saling menanduk dan berkelahi untuk mempertahankan jalannya supaya selamat. Manusia justru kadang-kadang tidak lebih bijaksana dari pada kedua kambing diatas."

Sumber: Secangkir Sup bagi jiwa anda 5 (Timotius Adi Tan)

David And Goliath (How Could The Mighty Fall?)

By Oliver Mbamara

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When he woke up on that fateful morning, little did Goliath, the dreaded giant, know that his era of oppression, dominance, intimidation and torment of the Israelites, could be ended by the little unknown David. As it were, there was no threat to the reign of Goliath.

With an air of pride, arrogance, and over-confidence in his strength, size, prowess, and an impressive record of triumphs, Goliath casually stepped into the arena. From the opposite direction, with nothing to show but his courage, determination, faith, and the will to survive, David cautiously drew near. Goliath had a prestige and an authority to protect. David had nothing to lose.

In anxiety, the people of Israel watched with feeble hope, while the Philistines were already celebrating another Goliath victory before the contest would even begin. That had been the trend for sometime. However, what happened next was to be enshrined in the annals of indelible history as far as ego, pride, intimidation, arrogance, courage, victory, defeats, and upsets were concerned.

The little unknown David had caught the mighty and dreaded Goliath off-guard. One fling of the stone from David's catapult, and the giant Goliath came crashing down like a falling Iroko-tree, defeated and humbled.

That was in those days, but history has a way of repeating itself. Perhaps, those of us, who think we are too big and too strong to fall or to be defeated, might have to ask if we too big or too strong, after all. Many of us who are seen as small and weak could achieve much with courage, faith, hard work, and determination. Some of those who wield the rod of power are very fair and cautious in using it. They would not force the little ones to a corner where the little ones would have no choice than to revolt and fight for survival, just as some of those who are weak or little would not intentionally provoke or push the patience of the big or powerful.

This has been the case among individuals, as well as entities, organizations, groups, nations, and authorities. The law of life applies the same across the board. This is only my understanding, and I am still learning

The Mighty Fallen

Whether it be about how to rule,
Or the running of a gainful venture;
Whether it be in the exercise of power,
Or the expressing of individual freedom,

The time comes when we are faced
With the choice to be fair and kind,
Or to flaunt our prowess and strength
Against competing neighbors and all.

But therein also lies the test,
To be selfish and lust for power,
Eager to pounce on little ones,
Or to be kind and fair to them.

And if our choice is ruled by vanity,
We invite the chance to be humbled,
For pride indeed goes before a fall,
And the humble one is rather exalted.

And if our pride has hung us high,
So loud and painful will be the fall,
When we fall from grace to grass,
Humbled by life's own teaching hand.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Oliver Mbamara is an Administrative Law Judge with the State of New York. He is also a filmmaker and a Published Poet and playwright. For more on Oliver, please visit www.olivermbamara.com

Guardian Angel

- Loren Moore

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I KNOW THAT THE LORD ASSIGNED A GUARDIAN ANGEL TO ME THE MOMENT I WAS BORN AND THE REASON I KNOW THIS IS I WOULD HAVE NEVER MADE IT TO BE SEVENTY YEARS OLD WITHOUT HIM.

AT THE AGE OF TWO I HAD PNEUMONIA. THIS WAS IN 1934 AND MANY CHILDREN DIED FROM PNEUMONIA BACK THEN. BUT MY GUARDIAN ANGEL BROUGHT ME THROUGH IT.

I WAS IN A BOAT WITH MY DAD ON CADDO LAKE WHEN THE BOAT TURNED OVER AND I HAD TO DOG PADDLE OVER TO A CYPRESS TREE. DAD WAS TRAPPED UNDER THE BOAT FOR JUST A MINUTE AND I WAS ON MY OWN. I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO SWIM BUT MY ANGEL WAS THERE TO SEE THAT I MADE IT TO THAT TREE. THAT WAS WHEN I WAS THREE YEARS OLD.

AS I GREW OLDER I WAS AROUND GUNS AND HAD GUNS OF MY OWN BUT I NEVER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A GUN. THE ONLY WAY I CAN EXPLAIN THIS IS MY ANGEL TAKING CARE OF ME.

I MET JOHNNIE, MY HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART, IN A MOST UNUSUAL WAY. I WAS WORKING AT A GROCERY STORE AFTER SCHOOL AND ON SATURDAYS. I HAD AN OLD CAR AND THIS KID THAT WORKED THERE ON SATURDAYS HAD A GIRL FRIEND THAT LIVED AT EAST MOUNTAIN. HE KEPT TELLING ME HE WOULD GET ME A DATE WITH HIS AUNT IF I WOULD DRIVE AND WE COULD DOUBLE DATE.

WELL I FINALLY SAID YES AND HE WAS SUPPOSED TO SET EVERYTHING UP FOR OUR DOUBLE DATE. WHEN THE NIGHT ROLLED AROUND HE AND I DROVE TO HIS GIRL FRIENDS HOME. I SAT IN THE CAR WHILE HE WENT IN AFTER HER. A LITTLE WHILE LATER HE CAME OUT BY HIMSELF AND SAID HER DADDY WOULDN'T LET HER GO. BUT THAT'S A WHOLE NOTHER STORY FOR A DIFFERENT TIME

SO OFF WE DROVE TO GET HIS AUNT, MY DATE. WE GOT TO THE HOUSE AND HIS AUNT HAD FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT OUR DATE. SHE HAD BEEN WORKING IN THE GARDEN WHEN WE DROVE UP AND WE HAD TO WAIT FOR HER TO TAKE A BATH AND GET READY BEFORE WE COULD GO. I FOUND OUT SHE WAS SIX MONTHS YOUNGER THAN ME. HOW CAN YOU BE AN AUNT TO A 15 YEAR OLD KID WHEN YOU'RE ONLY 17 YOURSELF?

ANYWAY MY ANGEL WAS AT WORK AGAIN. AFTER SEVEN MONTHS WE WERE MARRIED. THEN NINE MONTHS LATER WE HAD A LITTLE GIRL. BEING MARRIED AND WITH A CHILD KEPT ME FROM BEING DRAFTED AND GOING TO KOREA. SEVERAL OF THE BOYS I GRADUATED WITH WERE DRAFTED AND HAD TO GO. SOME OF THEM NEVER CAME BACK.

SO NOW AS A FAMILY MAN I HAD TO MAKE A LIVING FOR MY WIFE AND CHILD. BY CHANCE I WENT TO THE NEW GENERAL MOTORS PLANT IN ARLINGTON AND PUT IN AN APPLICATION. THEY HIRED ME. ON LOOKING BACK AT THIS I DON'T THINK IT WAS CHANCE THAT I WENT TO THE PLANT TO APPLY FOR A JOB AT ALL. I THINK IT WAS MY GUARDIAN ANGEL AT WORK AGAIN.

I SPENT TWENTY YEARS WORKING AT THE PLANT. I STARTED AS AN ASSEMBLER IN THE BODY SHOP. THEN TRANSFERRED TO WELDER AND SOON MADE LEAD MAN. AFTER THAT I TRANSFERRED INTO THE SECURITY DEPARTMENT. GENERAL MOTORS HAD A POLICY THAT THEY NEVER TOOK AN HOURLY MAN INTO SECURITY. I WAS THE FIRST MAN IN THE WHOLE COOPERATION TO EVER DO THAT. WHILE THERE I MADE THE RANK OF SERGEANT.

FROM THERE I WENT TO THE INSPECTION DEPARTMENT AND WAS ASSIGNED TO ROAD TEST THE NEW CARS. BOY WAS THAT A PLUM OF A JOB. THEN I WAS DRAFTED INTO THE PAINT SHOP AS A SUPERVISOR. IN TIME I WAS PROMOTED TO GENERAL SUPERVISOR OF THE PAINT SHOP. I HAD TWELVE SUPERVISORS AND 22O HOURLY MEN WORKING FOR ME, AND ME JUST AN OL' COUNTRY BOY FROM EAST TEXAS WITH NO EDUCATION. CAN YOU SEE THE HAND OF MY GUARDIAN ANGEL IN THIS? I SURE CAN.

IN 1974 I WAS DIAGNOSED AS A VICTIM OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND AFTER A YEARS SICK LEAVE THE PLANT MEDICALLY RETIRED ME. I HAD MY FULL RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND SOCIAL SECURITY. SO I WAS OK AS FAR AS MONEY GOES.

I SOON DISCOVERED THAT IF I BROKE MY DAY INTO TWO HALVES I COULD STILL DO A LOT OF THINGS. I SOON DEVELOPED A PATTERN OF BEING ACTIVE IN THE MORNING. THEN TAKING A SIESTA AFTER LUNCH FOR TWO OR THREE HOURS I COULD BE ACTIVE AGAIN FOR SEVERAL HOURS. OTHER THAN THIS MY ONLY LIMITATIONS WERE A WEAKNESS OF MY LEGS.

NO LONGER BEING TIED TO A TIME CLOCK I WAS ABLE TO DO SO MANY THINGS I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IF I STILL HAD TO GO TO WORK.

THINGS LIKE GOING TO THE HUNTING LEASE IN LLANO COUNTY IN CENTRAL TEXAS FOR A WEEK OR TWO FOUR OR FIVE TIMES A YEAR. I HUNTED ON THAT LEASE WITH SEVEN OTHER FRIENDS FOR 27 YEARS. WE HAD A YEAR ROUND LEASE AND WE COULD GO ANYTIME DURING THE YEAR WE WANTED TO. THERE WERE SEVERAL TANKS ON THE LEASE THAT HAD GOOD FISHING IN THEM. WE ALSO HAD A CABIN THAT WE STAYED IN THAT WAS AIR CONDITIONED.

DURING THIS TIME IS WHEN JOHNNIE AND I WOULD STAY AT CADDO LAKE FOR ANYWHERE FROM A WEEK TO A MONTH AT A TIME. WE ALWAYS STAYED AT MRS. TUCKER'S CAMP AND BECAME VERY GOOD FRIENDS WITH HER. SHE WOULD LET US HELP HER AROUND THE CAMP FOR OUR RENT.

ONE TIME MRS. TUCKER CALLED US AND ASKED IF WE WOULD COME DOWN AND TAKE CARE OF HER CAMP WHILE SHE WENT TO MAYO CLINIC IN MINNESOTA TO HAVE SURGERY FOR CANCER. OF COURSE WE SAID YES. WE WERE THERE THREE MONTHS THAT TIME.

OVER THE YEARS I HAD MANY EXPERIENCES ON CADDO LAKE. SOME GOOD AND SOME NOT SO GOOD BUT I ALWAYS MANAGED TO BE SAFE AND I DID HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY. I CAUGHT A TON OF FISH OVER THE YEARS AND GAVE LOTS OF THEM AWAY. I ATE MY SHARE OF THEM ALSO. BUT I NEVER SOLD A ONE.

NOW I SIT HERE IN MY HOUSE IN ARLINGTON AND PLAY WITH MY COMPUTER. I KNOW THAT MY GUARDIAN ANGEL HAS TO BE HAPPIER BECAUSE HIS JOB IS SO MUCH EASIER THEN IT USE TO BE.

I KNOW THAT WHEN IT COMES MY TIME TO PASS ON AND MY GUARDIAN ANGEL RETURNS TO THE LORD HE WILL BE TOLD "WELL DONE, THOU TRUE AND FAITHFUL SERVANT."

I ONLY HOPE I CAN HEAR THE SAME WORDS.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: © COPYRIGHT 2003 LOREN MOORE caddo@digitex.net I encourage you to share my stories with your friends but, when copying I ask that you keep my name and contact information attached along with this notice. Use of this story for commercial purposes is prohibited without direct permission from the author

Kisah Anne

Ada pasangan suami isteri yang sudah hidup beberapa lama tetapi belum mepunyai keturunan. Sejak 10 tahun yang lalu, sang istri terlibat aktif dalam kegiatan untuk menentang ABORSI, karena menurut pandangannya, aborsi berarti membunuh seorang bayi.

Setelah bertahun-tahun berumah-tangga, akhirnya sang istri hamil, sehingga pasangan tersebut sangat bahagia. Mereka menyebarkan kabar baik ini kepada famili, teman2 dan sahabat2, dan lingkungan sekitarnya. Semua orang ikut bersukacita dengan mereka. Dokter menemukan bayi kembar dalam perutnya, seorang bayi laki2 dan perempuan.Tetapi setelah beberapa bulan, sesuatu yang buruk terjadi. Tetapi bayi perempuan mengalami kelainan, dan ia mungkin tidak bisa hidup sampai masa kelahiran tiba. Dan kondisinya juga dapat mempengaruhi kondisi bayi laki2. Jadi dokter menyarankan untuk dilakukan aborsi, demi untuk sang ibu dan bayi laki2 nya.

Fakta ini membuat keadaan menjadi terbalik. Baik sang suami maupun sang istri mengalami depresi. Pasangan ini bersikeras untuk tidak menggugurkan bayi perempuannya (membunuh bayi tsb), tetapi juga kuatir terhadap kesehatan bayi laki2nya. "Saya bisa merasakan keberadaannya, dia sedang tidur nyenyak", kata sang ibu di sela tangisannya. Lingkungan sekitarnya memberikan dukungan moral kepada pasangan tersebut, dengan mengatakan bahwa ini adalah kehendak Tuhan.

Courtesy: http://www.inmypad.com