Love, God

Dear Friend,

As you got up this morning, I watched you and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words asking for my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed that you were too busy trying to find the right outfit to put on and wear to work. I waited again.

When you ran around the house getting ready I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy. At one point, you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip.

I watched as you went to work and I waited patiently all day long. With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me. I noticed that before lunch you looked around. Maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn't bow your head.   You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn't. That's okay. There is still more time left. And I have hope    that you will talk to me even yet.

You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few

of them were done you turned on the TV. I don't know if I like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spend a lot of time each day in front of it - not thinking about anything - just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched TV and ate your meal but again, you didn't talk to me.

As you did your paperwork I waited again. You did what you had to do. At bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That's okay because you may not realize that I am always there for you. I've got patience more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well.

I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayers or thought or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation.

Well you are getting up again and once again I will wait with nothing but love for you, hoping that today you will give me some time.

Have a nice day!

Your friend,

GOD

Judge Not

I was shocked, confused, bewildered

As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp—
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, ‘What’s the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

'And why's everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said, ‘they’re all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT.

Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a

Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Every saint has a PAST...

Every sinner has a FUTURE!

Picky, Picky, Picky

One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister. A member of an official board undergoing this painful process finally lost patience. He'd just witnessed the pastoral relations committee reject applicant after applicant for some minor fault...real or imagined. It was time for a bit of soul searching on the part of the committee. So he stood up and read this letter purported to be from an applicant.

Gentleman: Understanding your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications. I've been a preacher with much success and also have had some successes as a writer. Some say I'm a good organizer. I've been a leader most places I've been.

I'm over 50 years of age and have never preached in one place for more than three years. In some places, I have left town after my work caused riots, and disturbances. I must admit I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any real wrongdoing.

My health is not too good, though I accomplished a great deal. The church's I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities. I've not gotten along well with religious leaders in the towns where I have preached. In fact, some have threatened me, and even attacked me physically.

I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known to forget whom I have baptized.

However, if you can use me, I promise to do my best for you.

The board member turned to the committee and said, "Well, what do you think? Shall we call him?" The good church folks were appalled! Consider a sickly, troublemaking, absent minded ex—jailbird. Was the board member crazy? Who signed the application? Who had such colossal nerve?

The board member eyed them all keenly before he replied, "It‘s signed, The Apostle Paul."

Your Right To Be Wrong

A humorous story has it that a newly appointed young clergy person was contacted by a local funeral director to hold a graveside service at a small country cemetery in Iowa. There was to be no funeral, just the committal, because the deceased had no family or friends left in the state. 

The young pastor started early to cemetery, but soon became lost. After making several wrong turns, he finally arrived a half—hour late. The hearse was nowhere in sight and cemetery workers were relaxing under a near—by tree, eating their lunch.

The pastor went to the open grave and found that the vault lid was already in place. He took out his book and read the service.  As he returned to his car, he overheard one of the workers say,

"Maybe we'd better tell him it's a septic tank."

Why is it we make our biggest mistakes in public? And some people can't avoid it...former hockey goalie Jacques Plante wonders, "How would you like a job where, if you made a mistake, a big, red light goes on and 18,000 people boo?"

But we should never give up our right to be wrong. Good judgment comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgment. It is your right to be wrong. "No (one) ever became great or good except through many and great mistakes," said William E.

Gladstone. Great mistakes are opportunities for great learning. And great learning makes for great living. You have a right to be wrong. And if you are to build a great life, you have a duty to make great mistakes. Lf possible, laugh at them. Always learn from them. And try to make sure your next mistake is one you haven't made before!

Kindness

One stormy night many years ago, an elderly man and his wife entered the lobby of a small hotel in 

Philadelphia. Trying to get out of the rain, the couple approached the front desk hoping to get some shelter for the night. "Could you possibly give us a room here?" the husband asked. 

The clerk, a friendly man with a winning smile, looked at the couple and explained that there were three conventions in town. "All of our rooms are taken," the clerk said. "But I can’t send a nice couple like you out into the rain at one o'clock in the morning. Would you perhaps be willing to sleep in my room? It's not exactly a suite, but it will be good enough to make you folks comfortable for the night. 

When the couple declined, the young man pressed on. "Don't worry about me; I’ll make out just fine,' the clerk told them. So the couple agreed. 

As he paid his bill the next morning, the elderly man said to the clerk, you are the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States. Maybe someday I’ll build one for you." The clerk looked at them and smiled. The three of them had a good laugh. As they drove away, the elderly couple agreed that the helpful clerk was indeed exceptional, as finding people who are both friendly and helpful isn’t easy. 

Two years passed. The clerk had almost forgotten the incident when he received a letter from the old man. It recalled that stormy night and enclosed a round-trip ticket to New York, asking the young man to pay them a visit. The old man met him in New York, and led him to the corner of Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. He then pointed to a great new building there, a palace of reddish stone, with turrets and watchtowers thrusting up to the sky. 

"That," said the older man, "is the hotel I have just built for you to manage." "You must be joking," the young man said. "I can assure you I am not," said the older man, a sly smile playing around his mouth. The older man's name was William Waldorf Astor, and the magnificent structure was the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The young clerk who became its first manager was George C. Boldt. This young clerk never foresaw the turn of events that would lead him to become the manager of one of the world’s most glamorous hotels. 

The Bible says that we are not to turn our backs on those who are in need, for we might be entertaining angels unawares. 

Walk With Me 

Don't walk in front of me, 

I may not follow 

Don't walk behind me, 

I may not lead — 

Just walk beside me, 

The Father Loves You

by Max Lucado 

My daughters are too old for this now, but when they were young—crib-size and diaper-laden—I would come home, shout their names, and watch them run to me with extended arms and squealing voices. For the next few moments we would speak the language of love. We'd roll on 

the floor, gobble bellies, and tickle tummies and laugh and play. We delighted in each other's presence. They made no requests of me, with the exception of "Let's play, Daddy." And I made no demands of them, except, "Don't hit Daddy with the hammer." My kids let me love them. 

But suppose my daughters had approached me as we often approach God. "Hey, Dad, glad you're home. Here is what I want. More toys. More candy. And can we go to Disneyland this summer?" 

"Whoa," I would have wanted to say. "I'm not a waiter, and this isn't a restaurant. I'm your father, and this is our house. Why don't you just climb up on Daddy's lap and let me tell you how much I love you?" 

Ever thought God might want to do the same with you? "Oh, he wouldn't say that to me." He wouldn't? Then to whom was he speaking when he said, "I have loved you with an everlasting love" (Jer. 31:3 NIV)? Was he playing games when he said, "Nothing ... will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ" (Rom. 8:39)? Buried in the seldom-quarried mines of the minor prophets is this jewel: 

The LORD your God is with you; the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you. (Zeph. 3:17) 

Just how long has it been since you let God love you? 

Father I Will Find Time

I am sorry, but you just don't see  

there's so much that depends on me. ` ·· if  

There's family, friends and so much more 

my time's not mine, not anymore. 

It isn't that I don't want to find 

that part of my day, that special time  

to spend with you and let you know 

how much I really love you so.  

But there will be time. I know there will 

when quiet will come and things are still. 

When I can sit and talk with you, 

believe me, that's what I want to do. 

But, the phone is ringing, my beeper sounds 

the children wait and car keys must be found. 

I've heard about you all my life 

and talk to you when I'm filled with strife.  

I think you heard me, for things did work out. 

Did I forget to thank you, as I ran about? 

But you know I love you. I know you do. 

And when I find time, I'll talk with you. 

Tomorrow   yes, that's when it'll be. 

My time's just not my own, you see. 

But I'll find time to sit with you 

and if things work out that's what I'll do. 

I love you. Please remember that. 

But, right now I don't have time to chat. 

I Love you. Bye. Take care until I 

  Find that time...I know I will. 

  Text ©2000-200l Misty Taggart