Courage To Face It!

How many of us run away from danger or at the least try to avoid it? Danger need not necessarily be physical, but it could be fear, failures, criticisms, and things like that. Do we have enough courage to stand against its way?

Here’s a short story that I read about a courageous man and his team who stood against all odds to come face to face with their greatest danger!

Many years ago, a huge oil refinery caught fire. Flames shot hundreds of feet into the air and the sky filled with grimy smoke. The heat was so intense that firefighters parked a block away, hoping for the heat to die down. Instead, the fire raged ever closer to a nearby row of tanks.

Suddenly, a fire truck came careening down the street. With its brakes screeching, it hit the curb directly in front of the blaze. The firefighters jumped out and began to battle the blaze. Inspired by this act, the other firefighters drover closer and joined in the fight. As a result of their co-operative effort, the fire was brought under control in the nick of time.

Those who witnessed those events decided to honor the man who had driven the lead fire truck to the brink of the blaze. In preparing for the awards ceremony, the mayor said, “Captain, we want to honor you for your fantastic act of bravery. You prevented the loss of property, perhaps even the loss of life. Is there something we can give you as a token of our appreciation?” The Captain replied without any hesitation, “Your Honor, a new set of brakes would be dandy!”

Acts of heroism all begin the same way: One person is willing to try when all others are not.

“Nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37.

Do Your Best

Do Your Best!

When the days are dark and dreary,

And the heart is sad and weary,

Look to Him, keep sweet and cheery.

Do your best!

Be the duties great or small,

Though you falter, often fall,

He will hear when e’er you call.

Do your best!

Give a loving word of cheer,

Bear your burden, never fear,

He will strengthen. He is near.

Do your best!

Look to Him in all you do,

For some work He’s planned for you,

And be faithful, loyal, and true.

Do your best!

-        AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Letter to Dad

Today being Father's Day I would like to dedicate this to all the wonderful Father's all around the world! God bless all the Fathers.

Happy Father's Day!

There are so many things I'd like

To tell you face to face;

I either lack the words or fail

To find the time or place.

But in this special letter, Dad,

You'll find, at least in part,

The feelings that the passing years

Have left within my heart.

The memories of childhood days

And all that you have done

To make our home a happy place

And growing up such fun.

I still recall the walks we took,

The games we often played;

Those confidential chats we had

While resting in the shade.

This letter comes to thank you, Dad,

For needed words of praise;

The counsel and the guidance, too,

That shaped my grown-up days.

No words of mine can tell you, Dad

The things I really feel;

But you must know my love for you

Is lasting, warm, and real.

You made my world a better place

And through the coming years,

I'll keep these memories of you

As cherished souvenirs!

                            

                                       - AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Father's Day Exclusive!

“The best inheritance a father can leave his children is a good example.”

A young woman relates that when she was a little girl, her father, an artist, would often be very busy at his easel, mixing oils and painting on his big canvases while she sat nearby on the floor, working just as hard as he was with her own set of crayons and a coloring book.

Many a time, he would set his brushes aside, reach down, and lift her up unto his lap. Then he’d curl her little hand around one of his brushes, enfolding it with his own larger and stronger hand. Ever so gently, he would guide her hand and the brush, dipping it into the palette and mixing the burnt umbers and raw sienna, and then stroke the wet, shiny paint onto the canvas before them both.

The little girl watched in amazement as, together, they made something beautiful.

Little did this father know that he was giving his daughter skills that would bring great fulfillment to her life. Today, JoniTada- a quadriplegic since a diving accident during her teen years- is still painting, but this time with a paintbrush in her mouth. Much of what she earns is channeled into ministry to help others. Her compassion, too is a reflection of that shown by a loving, tender father.

Consider This!

Henri Frederic Ameil once penned, “It is not what he has, nor even what he does, which directly expresses the worth of a man, but what he is.”

Do you often think about the importance of what you do, rather than focusing on who you are? Your truest worth is found in who you are- in relationship to God- in relationship to others- and even in relationship to yourself.

Shakespeare once wrote: “to thine own self be true.”

That speaks volumes about living your life without reproach against your own conscience. The things you do are a direct result of who you are.

With that in mind, it may be time to find out who you are!

Top Ten Tips To Develop A Healthy Conscience

I do not want to be selfish by keeping these wonderful tips just for myself. I came across this bunch of awesome tips in one of the books I read. Just thought it would be nice if I shared it with you all...to keep our conscience healthy of course!

Well, here are the Top Ten Tips to Develop a Healthy Conscience:

• Pay attention to those inner nudging.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to bring conviction as soon as you do something wrong.
• In your daily prayers, begin by asking forgiveness.
• Ask God to shine a light into your heart.
• If you feel you have wronged or hurt someone, go to them and make things right.
• Find a prayer partner to share your requests, doubts, and victories.
• When you have a problem, consult God's Word first.
• Encourage yourself through daily devotionals and quiet time.
• Make a sign that says, "Do the right thing" to put on your refrigerator.
• Ask a trusted friend to steer you in the right direction if they notice an unhealthy turn in your personality or actions.

THINK HEALTHY STAY HEALTHY!

Passing the Driving Exam

“Let each of you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.”  Philippians 2:4

A man was taking his first driving lesson out in the country. Within an hour, he had learned to start the car, put it in reverse, go forward, and steer reasonably well. He concluded that driving was easy, so his instructor suggested that he practice on a nearby busy highway. After a few minutes in the roaring traffic, the man pulled off on a side road and stopped. Mopping his brow, he said, “If it weren’t for those other people, it would be simple.”

He quickly learned that with the privilege of driving a car goes an important responsibility. You have to look out for other drivers as well as yourself.

The same case happens with me as well. Learning to drive the car was easy. It did not take long. However to drive sensibly, well, that is one thing that I am still learning every day.

Most of us (must) have observed that man’s innate selfishness often surfaces when he gets behind the wheel of a car. He is quick to blow the horn, cut off another car (of course by a whisker!), and blame the other drivers. There are several factors. Some do it to show that they can drive quite fast. Some start late for work and rush at the ‘peak’ hours. While some try to race, against the clock and quite few of them to save time and fuel. The list is inexhaustible.

As a sensible person, and out mostly as Christians, however, we should express our faith even in our driving habits. If we look out for “the interests of others” as Paul said, we will be courteous, patient, thoughtful, and law-abiding drivers.

In life, as in driving, we cannot live as if we are the only ones on the road. We need to learn to get along with people- whatever we are doing. God’s grace must constantly be manifested in all our relationships. Regardless of the failures and mistakes of others who cross our path, we must always look out for their needs as well as our own.

Today, let us show consideration and kindness to our “fellow-travellers”, whether on the highway or along the road of life.

“Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life.”

Fault with Faultfinders

The wife of a hard-to-please husband was determined to try her best to satisfy him for just one day. Darling, she asked, what would you like for breakfast this morning? He growled, ‘Coffee and toast, grits and sausage, and two eggs- one scrambled, and one fried.’ She soon had the food on the table and waited for a word of praise. After a quick glance, he exclaimed, ‘Well, if you didn’t scramble the wrong egg!’

Some people seem to be happy only when they are making others’ miserable! Because they thrive on faultfinding, they stir up strife wherever they go. What is wrong with them anyway? Answer is clear. They are disgusted with their own unproductive lives and dissatisfied with their limited achievements, so they try to boost themselves by stepping on others.

By criticizing others, or everyone else, they relieve their inner anger and disappointments.

Let us ask ourselves, what is wrong with us. Maybe we are being too selfish, and separated from God’s fellowship, and His life changing power. Perhaps, a desire to be rich or prominent has robbed us of the joy of being content.

Alternatively, feelings of inferiority may be triggering our negative response to others.

Spend some moments looking at yourself. Ask God to show you the real problem.

Moreover, remember, the fault with faultfinders is the fault they will not face in themselves.

“Don’t look for faults-look for remedies!”

Weakest But The Strongest Of All!

    "If perceived through our human understanding, and putting all our mental proficiency and expertise, we may all somehow argue that the assertion given by me that the weakest of all can possibly be the strongest of all is impracticable and unfeasible. Yes, authentically that might be arguable, by bringing any evidence to prove that it is not simply stating some factual substantiation of every day life. We all know it! Well, someone might say, that a person may be physically weak but mentally he is stronger than the person who outdoes him physically and vice versa. "

Pirates Ahoy!

Here is a foul foursome of the most disgustingly behaved pirate rogues ever to sail the high seas!

 Edward Low:

One of the cruellest pirates ever. He is said to have once cut off and cooked a man’s lips!

Henry Morgan:

Accidentally blew up his own ship during a party, killing 350 men escaping himself.

Blackbeard:

Went into battle with burning fuses tied in his hair, to make him look devilish. He drank rum mixed with gunpowder.

William Kidd:

After he was caught his corpse was left hanging in a cage to rot for 43 years. He knew it was going to happen because they measured him for his chains while he was still alive.