Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Dog For Sale

Free to good home. Excellent guard dog.
Owner cannot afford to feed him anymore, as
there are no more drug pushers, thieves,
murderers, or molesters left in the neighborhood
for him to eat. Most of them knew Jethro only
by his Oriental street name, Ho Lee Schitt.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Fr. Paul Coutinho talks about Forgiveness and Lent

Eucharisteo

Jesus, the God-man who came to save me from prisons of fear and guilt and depression and sadness. With an expiration of less than 12 hours, what does Jesus count as all most important?

"He took bread, gave thanks, and broke it and gave it to them." Luke 22:19

In the original language, "He gave thanks" reads "eucharisteo". The root word is "charis" meaning "grace." Jesus gave thanks, eucharisteo, for the grace, and within "eucharisteo" is also the derivative, chara --- meaning joy.

Deep joy -- chara -- is found only at the table of the euCHARisteo -- the table of thankgsgiving. So then as long as thanksgiving is possible -- Joy is always possible.


And how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if not with thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of what He gives. Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our Yes to His grace.

Charis. Grace. Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving. Chara. Joy.
A threefold cord - that might hold a life?


-Ann Voskamp
Excerpt from the New York Times Best Selling One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to LIVE FULLY Right Where You Are.
Through Ann's heart-breakingly beautiful stories, she offers a profoundly powerful guide to finding joy wherever people live. Even in the darkest moments, in the midst of everyday challenges, you can discover an ancient way of living that is deeply, fully alive. Joy really is possible. Right now.

Elvis Presley - You Gave Me A Mountain(Live Hawaii 1973

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Things You Can Count On Now!

There is a grace that is sufficient;
a mercy that endures;
an atoning blood that cleanses;
a hope that doesn't disappoint;
a love that never fails;
a purpose that works all things together for the good;
a peace that passes understanding;
a joy unspeakable;
a kingdom unshakable;
a foundation indestructible;
a High Priest who prays;
a Savior who lives;
a Spirit who comforts;
a Father who cares.

Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. Hebrews 6:18-19 NLT

-Roy Lessin

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Encouragement for Spring!

In the ever-changing circumstances of life, there is a faithful, never-changing God in control.

Every day begins and ends with His purpose-
there isn't a detail that escapes His eye...
a trial that doesn't touch His heart...
or a single experience beyond His compassion.

Every moment of your life is in His care-
and I pray that He gives you overwhelming peace and hope today.


Pray about everything; tell God your needs... If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6, 7 TLB

Friday, March 25, 2011

Build a Blossom card with Dawn

Funny colonoscopy story (if that exists)

OMG, I laughed until I had tears rolling down my face. Enjoy!
For those of you who have had one of these, how true it is!!



ABOUT THE WRITER: Dave Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist for the Miami Herald.


Colonoscopy Journal:

I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make an appointment for a colonoscopy.


A few days later, in his office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Minneapolis.


Then Andy explained the colonoscopy procedure to me in a thorough, reassuring and patient manner.


I nodded thoughtfully, but I didn't really hear anything he said, because my brain was shrieking, 'HE'S GOING TO STICK A TUBE 17,000 FEET UP YOUR BEHIND!'


I left Andy's office with some written instructions, and a prescription for a product called 'MoviPrep,' which comes in a box large enough to hold a microwave oven. I will discuss MoviPrep in detail later; for now suffice it to say that we must never allow it to fall into the hands of America 's enemies..


I spent the next several days productively sitting around being nervous.


Then, on the day before my colonoscopy, I began my preparation. In accordance with my instructions, I didn't eat any solid food that day; all I had was chicken broth, which is basically water, only with less flavor.


Then, in the evening, I took the MoviPrep. You mix two packets of powder together in a one-liter plastic jug, then you fill it with lukewarm water. (For those unfamiliar with the metric system, a liter is about 32 gallons). Then you have to drink the whole jug. This takes about an hour, because MoviPrep tastes - and here I am being kind - like a mixture of goat spit and urinal cleanser, with just a hint of lemon.


The instructions for MoviPrep, clearly written by somebody with a great sense of humor, state that after you drink it, 'a loose, watery bowel movement may result.'


This is kind of like saying that after you jump off your roof, you may experience contact with the ground.


MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. I don't want to be too graphic, here, but, have you ever seen a space-shuttle launch? This is pretty much the MoviPrep experience, with you as the shuttle. There are times when you wish the commode had a seat belt. You spend several hours pretty much confined to the bathroom, spurting violently. You eliminate everything. And then, when you figure you must be totally empty, you have to drink another liter of MoviPrep, at which point, as far as I can tell, your bowels travel into the future and start eliminating food that you have not even eaten yet.


After an action-packed evening, I finally got to sleep.


The next morning my wife drove me to the clinic. I was very nervous. Not only was I worried about the procedure, but I had been experiencing occasional return bouts of MoviPrep spurtage. I was thinking, 'What if I spurt on Andy?' How do you apologize to a friend for something like that? Flowers would not be enough.


At the clinic I had to sign many forms acknowledging that I understood and totally agreed with whatever the heck the forms said. Then they led me to a room full of other colonoscopy people, where I went inside a little curtained space and took off my clothes and put on one of those hospital garments designed by sadist perverts, the kind that, when you put it on, makes you feel even more naked than when you are actually naked..


Then a nurse named Eddie put a little needle in a vein in my left hand. Ordinarily I would have fainted, but Eddie was very good, and I was already lying down. Eddie also told me that some people put vodka in their MoviPrep..
At first I was ticked off that I hadn't thought of this, but then I pondered what would happen if you got yourself too tipsy to make it to the bathroom, so you were staggering around in full Fire Hose Mode. You would have no choice but to burn your house.


When everything was ready, Eddie wheeled me into the procedure room, where Andy was waiting with a nurse and an anesthesiologist. I did not see the 17,000-foot tube, but I knew Andy had it hidden around there somewhere. I was seriously nervous at this point.


Andy had me roll over on my left side, and the anesthesiologist began hooking something up to the needle in my hand.


There was music playing in the room, and I realized that the song was 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA. I remarked to Andy that, of all the songs that could be playing during this particular procedure, 'Dancing Queen' had to be the least appropriate.


'You want me to turn it up?' said Andy, from somewhere behind me.


'Ha ha,' I said. And then it was time, the moment I had been dreading for more than a decade. If you are squeamish, prepare yourself, because I am going to tell you, in explicit detail, exactly what it was like.


I have no idea. Really. I slept through it. One moment, ABBA was yelling 'Dancing Queen, feel the beat of the tambourine,' and the next moment, I was back in the other room, waking up in a very mellow mood.


Andy was looking down at me and asking me how I felt. I felt excellent. I felt even more excellent when Andy told me that It was all over, and that my colon had passed with flying colors. I have never been prouder of an internal organ.



On the subject of Colonoscopies...
Colonoscopies are no joke, but these comments during the exam were quite humorous..... A physician claimed that the following are actual comments made by his patients (predominately male) while he was performing their colonoscopies:

1. Take it easy Doc. You’re boldly going where no man has gone before.


2. 'Find Amelia Earhart yet?'


3. 'Can you hear me NOW?'


4. 'Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?'


5. 'You know, in Arkansas , we're now legally married.'


6. 'Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?'


7. 'You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out...'


8. 'Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!'


9. 'If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!'


10. 'Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity.'


11. 'You used to be an executive at Enron, didn't you?'


12. 'God, now I know why I am not gay.'


And the best one of all:
13. 'Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is not up there?'

Thursday, March 24, 2011

ELVIS You Gave Me A Mountain ( Extraordinary Version)

Dad (November 17, 1946 - March 24, 1988)

In Honor of my Beloved Father, your journey with us ended 23 years ago today when you received your Heavenly Reward from God and got Everything He promised you. Time passes all to quickly, but I know that I am one day closer to being with you in Paradise. Until we meet again, I give you all my love forever & always.

Anxiety and Peace

Anxiety tells you that you are in a situation that is too big for God to handle;
Peace assures you that nothing is too hard for the Lord.

Anxiety assumes the worst will happen;
Peace affirms the best is yet to be.

Anxiety points you to your inadequacy;
Peace confirms that God’s grace is sufficient.

Anxiety causes you to panic;
Peace causes you to be still.

Anxiety shows you your lack;
Peace points you to God’s supply.

Anxiety warns of defeat and failure;
Peace proclaims God’s victory and success.

Anxiety causes you to strive;
Peace causes you to rest.

Anxiety says “You will be carried away by the storm;”
Peace says “Your anchor holds.”

Anxiety fills you with darkness;
Peace floods you with light.

Anxiety tells you to first seek a solution;
Peace tells you to first seek the Kingdom.

Anxiety tells you, you won’t make it;
Peace assures you, God will bring you through.

Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Luke 12:24-26, Matthew 6:33 NKJV

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

2011 Birthday RAKS I received

Thanks Rita! plus some other goodies that I still need to take a pic of.
http://ritaslittlecorner.blogspot.com/2011/02/different-colorssame-card-2.html


Thanks Mary! http://itsallaboutthejourney.typepad.com/its_all_about_the_journey/page/2/

Thanks Dawn!
http://www.dawnsstampingthoughts.net/2011/03/my-digital-studio-birthday-card.html

Vintage Focal Image with Wax Paper

"The Gift of an Ordinary Day" by Katrina Kenison

Vera's Birthday Card


This was my first attempt using the new petal flower punch & stamp set from the Spring Mini.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Pray, Give, and Sacrifice - Loyola Press

Pray, Give, and Sacrifice - Loyola Press

Home - World Water Day

Home - World Water Day

RAK Have you filled a bucket today?

Remember it does not have to be something great, just small acts of kindness. See what you can do today!

One day a man saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her.
Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he looked poor and hungry.

He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you.

He said, 'I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson.'

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two.
Soon he was ab le to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.

As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid.

Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.

He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and
Bryan added, 'And think of me.'

He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan ..

After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The
waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar b ill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed something written on the napkin.

There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: 'You don't owe me anything. I have
been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you.'

Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the
money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going
to be hard....

She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleep ing next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, 'Everything's going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson.'

There is an old saying 'What goes around comes around.' Today I sent you this story, and I'm asking you to pass it on. Let this light shine. God works in mysterious ways and sometimes puts people in our lives for a reason.

Don't delete it, don't return it. Simply, pass this on to a friend.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

LESSONS FROM THE RUNNING NUN

Enjoy the thrill and learn to chill

Karin Evans spent more than a year writing her book, the recently-published The Race to Grace, with an 80-year-old nun. So what did she learn from Sister Madonna Buder, who happens to be the world champion Ironman competitor in her age group? Enjoy the thrill and learn to chill. Karin elaborates:

"Sister Madonna and I went to the beach in San Francisco one day. She was like a child at play—photographing jellyfish, loping down the shore, eating pastries and enjoying the view. Then she spotted some hang gliders floating over the ocean.

"‘Oh, let's go watch,’ " she trilled. I hesitated, worried about driving home close to rush hour. But she was so enthusiastic that we went to find the cliff where they were jumping. She watched, fascinated, for an hour, while I fretted. By the time she announced, ‘Well, wasn't that wonderful!’ we were deep into rush hour. The trip home usually takes 40 minutes—more with traffic. Strangely, the roads were almost empty. We got to my house in a record 25 minutes. ‘See?’ said Sister Madonna. ‘Everything works out. It always does.’”

Now when my thoughts take their familiar route to dire predictions, I take a deep breath and entertain a new thought: Maybe, it’ll all work out. The real traffic jam is in my mind.

--For more on Karin Evans and Sister Madonna Buder, check out The Race to Grace: The Wisdom and Inspiration of the 80-Year-Old World Champion Triathlete Known as the Iron Nun at books.simonandschuster.com.

Michigan : National MS Society

Michigan : National MS Society

This Craft of Mine

All I need to pass the time

and lose my thoughts of

reason and rhyme

are brushes and ink and

blocks of wood

to color and press onto

paper so good.



Each cut true, my work of art

I place and glue and

savor each part.

This gift of mine is

more than a craft

it’s a memory, a moment,

a time that we laugh.



Now I share what I have made

at a time I was quiet

a time that I played.

May a smile cross your face

when this card you first see

it is sent with the hope

we are all we can be.



-- Pauline Whitchurch

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Digi Images to help Japan

My friend, Berenice Rendon, has a request:

"Hi dear friends as you know I am the co-owner of Karber. My company is trying to raise some money by donating the sales of 3 special digis to the Japanese Relief effort. We will appreciate if you spread the word about this donation through your blog, Facebook or twitter. Thank you so much."

http://karberdigital.com/36-help-japan

Help Japan - Karber Digital Images

karberdigital.com

You Shall Not Want

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

To the lost sheep, He is the seeking Shepherd;
To the needy sheep, He is the providing Shepherd;
To the hurting sheep, He is the comforting Shepherd;
To the bruised sheep, He is the healing Shepherd;
To the anxious sheep, He is the peaceful Shepherd;
To the wandering sheep, He is the guiding Shepherd;
To the fearful sheep, He is the protecting Shepherd;
To all His sheep, He is the Good Shepherd.


-Roy Lessin

Monday, March 14, 2011

Check the Can!

Beware of Chinese products March 4th - April 4th
You'd be amazed at the number of products, Birdseye, Pennsylvania Dutch, some Meijer Organic frozen vegs., etc. We have a friend who's cat died from the bad Chinese pet food, babies died in the mideast from bad baby formula, poisonous dry wall, lead painted toys, tainted jewelry for girls. Start reading. It's even been on prime time TV, don't buy Chinese if it goes into your mouth, food, meds. What about the lead glaze used on their dishes?????? We need to wake up!



---Check the Can


I WAS BUYING FOOD THE OTHER DAY AT WALMART.

ON THE LABEL OF SOME PRODUCTS IT SAID 'FROM CHINA '.

FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF THE MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN 'FROM CHINA '.

I WAS SHOCKED!! SO FOR A FEW MORE CENTS I BOUGHT THE LIBERTY GOLD BRAND OR THE DOLE SINCE IT'S FROM CALIF.

TAKES FOREVER JUST TO BUY FOOD AND DO LABEL READING ! !

Are we Americans as dumb as we appear --- or --- is it that we just do not think? While the Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior and even toxic products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets.

Yet 70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended.

Well, duh..why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges?

SIMPLY DO IT YOURSELF, AMERICA !!

Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without.

Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter? If you must have eggs, use real ones and benefit some American farmer. Easter is just an example, the point is do not wait for the government to act. Just go ahead and assume control on your own.

THINK ABOUT THIS: If 200 million Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!!

The downside? Some American businesses will feel a temporary pinch from having foreign stockpiles of inventory. Wahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

The solution? Let's give them fair warning and send our own message. Most of the people who have been reading about this matter are planning on implementing this on March. 4th and continue it until April. 4th That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their American exports. Then they will at least have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it.

Remember, March. 4th to April. 4th

START NOW.

Send this to everybody you know. Let's show them that we are Americans and NOBODY can take us for granted.

If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives, WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET!

Pass it on, America

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Happy Mail

Sorry, so late in posting this awesome thank you card I got from
Carole Richard-Breton of Quebec Canada.
Isn't it awesome?
Merci beaucoup mon amie!

An Excerpt from Simple Truths of Life by Linda Ellis

I've learned you should make
the most of every moment.
Be your own shining star.
Though you may not be where you want to be,
it's still where you are...

Your Own Friend

After sadly attending funeral services of friends and relatives some leaving this earth long before "their time" was done, I have come to the realization it is imperative that one become their own friend. I thought about this because often realization doesn't hit us until we are past the summer season of our youth and well into the fall or winter of our lives. I've recently begun trying to befriend myself. I know this may sound strange to some, but it's true. I am no longer being so hard on myself and not nearly as critical. As I've grown older, I've realized that much of what I have wasted precious minutes fretting over, does not truly matter and never will. In my first book, I wrote about a letter that was received and routed around my office many years ago. It was written by the wife of an employee who knew she hadn't much time to live. The letter made such an impact on my life that I saved a copy of it and continue to live by these words she'd written:

"Regrets? I have a few. Too much worrying. I worried about finding the right husband and having children, being on time, being late and so on. It didn't matter. It all works out and it would have worked out without the worry and the tears. If I would have known then what I know now. But, I did and so do you. We're all going to die. Stop worrying and start loving and living."

Stop worrying and start living. Words to live by.

Armed with a cheap calculator, (I did not inherit a math gene) I recently computed that I spend three hours per month, which equates to an approximate 36 hours per year...folding towels! That's a day-and-a-half out of my life every year turning absorbent terrycloth rectangles into absorbent terrycloth squares! I won't even do the math on fitted sheets! Why? Because somebody somewhere made the unwritten "rule" that this is the ways things must be done, and generations of parents have passed this important skill onto their sons and daughters as one of the crucial items on the "right" way to do things list.

Just for one CRAZY moment, think what would happen if you didn't spend those hours folding towels, and just haphazardly wadded them up right out of the dryer and put them on a shelf in your linen closet! Oh the horror! However, would they be any less clean? Would they be any less hard to reach? No. This is one of the needless things that I am referring to that I haven given far too much time and effort towards. Yet, I will continue to fold my perfect squares and stack them neatly on a shelf because it is ingrained in me.

However, it makes me wonder about the other meaningless items society has programmed into my head. For instance, has anyone ever been denied access through the gates of Heaven because he used his salad fork to eat his potatoes? Has anyone ever seen etched upon a tombstone..."Mrs. Smith is buried here in the clay... (Pssst...she wore white shoes after Labor Day!)" Has anyone lead an unfulfilled life because they never learned how to properly fold a fitted sheet?

The answer is no. I have a long list of things I used to worry and fret over until I realized they do not matter in the scheme of life. If you do choose to worry, worry about what does.

Or, in the concise, experienced words of my teenage niece, learn to just "chillax." (apparently a combination of "chill out" and "relax"). Don't sweat the small stuff or be too critical of yourself. Learn to be your own friend. Everyone has his or her own time here...this time is YOURS. Don't spend it filled with fret and regret.

Monday, March 7, 2011

You're Loved

You're Loved...
More than you know.
More than you see.
Deeper than you've dared to dream.
All you fear might hold you back
has been wiped away, forgiven,
covered up by grace.
The One who created you,
knows you, calls you his own,
looks at you with love
and says, "You're mine forever."
Your heart has a home
and it's not a place
but a Person who will never let you go.

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed. Isaiah 54:10

By Holley Gerth, DaySpring writer

For more hope and encouragement, visit Heart to Heart with Holley. And to receive free devotionals from Holley,
subscribe by e-mail.

Hope as You Start a New Week

Hello You...
the one welcoming a new week and wondering what it holds.
I don't know.
But I'm certain of this-there's One who holds us.
And He promises nothing is impossible for you.
Not that mountain you're facing.
Not that task you're dreading.
Not that decision you're afraid to make.
He may not tell us the details of what's to come
but He reminds us of what's ours no matter what...
Victory.
A future.
A plan that's as good as He is.
Always.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

By Holley Gerth, DaySpring writer

Friday, March 4, 2011

Yeah, my blog candy came w/this Card


from my bestest friend Curt O'Brien!

THANKS BUDDY FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!

It was like Christmas just before my birthday! YAHOO!

100 6827

Rod Stewart - Downtown Train - a Music video.mp4

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Tuesday, March 1, 2011