Their watching

GOT THIS IN MY EMAIL!!!!

This is why we do what we do!

-Starla

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, ‘You’d better give it back. It would be wrong to keep it.’  Then he thought, ‘Oh, forget it, it’s only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a ‘gift from God’ and keep quiet.’ 

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, ‘Here, you gave me too much change.’

The driver, with a smile, replied, ‘Aren’t you the new preacher in town?’ ‘Yes,’ he replied.

‘Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I’ll see you at church on Sunday.’

When the preacher stepped off the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said,

‘Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter!’

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard — and remember — You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself ‘Christian.’

Watch your thoughts ; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits..
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

SO GOOD AND TRUE!

Friendships of love

Enthusiasm

The word, "enthusiasm" comes from "en" meaning in, and
"theos" meaning God. Thus enthusiasm literally means
"in God." The reality is that the only enthusiasm that
stands the test of time and lasts is the enthusiasm
that is based in God.

Og Mandino, author of ‘A Better Way to Live,’ said,
"Every memorable act in the history of the world is a
triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved
without it because it gives any challenge or any
occupation, no matter how frightening or difficult, a
new meaning. Without enthusiasm you are doomed to a
life of mediocrity, but with it you can accomplish
miracles."

Sweet Adversity

By Michael Josephson of Character Counts (673.5)
No one wants pain, troubles, or hardship, but it’s
inevitable that we’ll have plenty of each. And they
won’t come at times of our choosing or in manageable
doses. Adversity is never welcome, but it’s not
necessarily our enemy. As a blade is sharpened by
friction with a harder stone, our character and the
quality of our lives can be shaped and strengthened
through struggle and striving. Shakespeare said,
"Sweet are the uses of adversity which, like the toad,
ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his
head."
Adversity’s precious jewel is cut by the chisels of
confidence and competence, forged in a process of
confronting and overcoming difficulties. As Nietzsche
said, "What does not destroy me makes me stronger."
The following poem by an unknown author reminds us
that what we need isn’t always what we want:
I asked for Strength and God gave me Difficulties to
make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom and God gave me Problems to solve.
I asked for Prosperity and God gave me Brain and
Brawn to work.
I asked for Courage and God gave me Danger to
overcome.
I asked for Love and God gave me Troubled People to
help.
I asked for Favor and God gave me Opportunities.
I got nothing I wanted,
But I received everything I needed.
The road to achievement and fulfillment is dotted with
hazards and tragedies that can wound us, frighten us,
and slow us down. But afflictions and misfortunes can
stop us only if we surrender.
If we exercise courage, patience, and perseverance, we
can overcome any adversity, bearing pains we cannot
relieve and solving problems we cannot avoid.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character
counts.
(c) 2011 Josephson Institute of Ethics; reprinted with
permission. Michael Josephson, one of the nation’s
leading ethicists, is the founder of the Josephson
Institute of Ethics and the premier youth character
education program, CHARACTER COUNTS! For further
information visit www.charactercounts.org.

Great Advise

Reality Quote

Who Is St. Patrick

————————————————-
MountainWings A MountainWings Moment
#12077 Wings Over The Mountains of Life
————————————————-
Who Is St. Patrick?
====================
Today is March 17, St. Patrick’s Day.
Most of us know of St. Patrick’s Day but most don’t know exactly
who St. Patrick was and what he did (other than he was a saint).
Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the early fourth century
into a wealthy family. Yes, Britain was conquered by the Roman
Empire at one point, thus Roman Britain but that’s another
story.
At the age of 16 Patrick was taken captive by Irish raiders and
taken to Ireland as a slave. He was told by God to flee his
captivity to the coast where he would board a ship and return to
Britain. Upon his return to Britain he studied to become a
priest.
In 432 God called Patrick back to Ireland though this time he
was a bishop. Patrick was instrumental in introducing
Christianity to Ireland. You can read the full story here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick’s_Day
Born into wealth, taken as a slave, escaping and then told to go
back to help the people who enslaved him is not an easy path.
But his help changed his captor’s world and future.
Someone has hurt you and/or cost you dearly in possessions.
You’ve escaped and yet the seeds of their trespass has produced
bitter fruit in their lives. Perhaps now they need your help.
Sometimes to make that journey back takes a saint.
We can all learn a lot from St. Patrick.
~A MountainWings Original~
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