INSPIRATIONS TO GUIDE YOU

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If God is your co-pilot, swap seats.

In the dark? Follow the Son.

If you can't sleep, don't count sheep, talk to the Shepherd.

If you don't like the way you were born, try being born again.

How will you spend eternity - smoking or non-smoking?

If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns.

May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house || George Carlin

Feed your faith and doubt will starve to death.

Don't go digging where God has buried your sins.

When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could you please get that for me."

A clean conscience makes a soft pillow.

Don't wait for the hearse to take you to church.

A family altar can alter a family.

A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.

Give God what's right, not what's left.

Exercise daily. Walk with the Lord.

He who kneels before God can stand before anyone!

The will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.

The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.

The Ten Commandments aren't prefaced with "if you're in the mood."

When the tides of life turn against you
And the current upsets your boat
Don't waste those tears on what might have been
Just lay on your back and float!
|| Ed Norton - The Honeymooners

A coincidence is when God performs a miracle and decides to remain anonymous.

To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world.

Laughter is life's shock absorber.

Live your life in the manner that you would like your kids to live theirs.

You don't have to attend every argument you're invited to.

The Bible contains the vitamins of soul health.

Scars remind us of where we've been, but they don't have to dictate where we're going.

Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet.

Belief is the truth held in the mind.  Faith is a fire in the heart || Joseph Newton

Be the kind of woman that, when your feet hit the ground each morning, the devil says, "Oh crap, she's up!"

Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there || Will Rogers

Worry looks around. Sorry looks back. Faith looks up.

The heaviest thing you can carry is a grudge.

The best and most beautiful things of this world can't be seen or touched.  They must be felt by the heart.

Those who walk with God reach their destination.

The Bible is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions.

Faith means that you have peace even when you don't have all the answers.

Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.

A raindrop landing on your cheek is a kiss from someone that lives in heaven and is watching over you.

25 LINES TO MAKE YOU SMILE

Photo: amomhavingfun.com

1.  My husband and I divorced over religious differences.  He thought he was God and I didn't.

2.  I don't suffer from insanity - I enjoy every minute of it!

3.  I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

4.  Don't take life too seriously - no one gets out alive.

5.  You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.

6.  Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

7.  Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.

8.  I'm not a compete idiot - some parts are missing!

9.  Out of my mind, back in five minutes.

10.  God must love stupid people - He made so many!

11.  The gene pool could use a little chlorine.

12.  Consciousness:  that annoying time between naps.

13.  Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?

14.  Being "over the hill" is much better than being under it.

15.  Wrinkled was not one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up.

16.  Procrastinate now!

17.  I have a degree in Liberal Arts - do you want fries with that?

18.  A hangover is the wrath of grapes.

19.  A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.

20.  Stupidity is not a handicap.  Park elsewhere!

21.  He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless dead.

22.  A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.

23.  Ham and eggs - a day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.

24.  The trouble with life is there's no background music.

25.  I smile because I don't know what the heck is going on.

THE LAST TEMPLE

The Last Temple is the third and concluding novel in the series that includes The Last Disciple and The Last Sacrifice. The setting is Caesarea in 67 A.D. as the story begins, the turbulent years just before one of the most horrendous events in Jewish history. The Last Temple follows the footsteps of the main character Gallus Sergius Vitas, a renowned general of the Roman army, who is reunited with his wife. He has a burning desire to lead a quiet domestic life in the company of his wife and retires to Alexandria.

But will fate and destiny conspire against him?

As things later transpired, far from leading a quiet and peaceful life, Vitas was drawn right into the thick of things. And Vitas who was once a member of the inner circle of Nero has his own agenda. He became a key figure in the plot to overthrow the emperor Nero. Anarchy reigned over the empire and Vitas returned to Jerusalem as the city was besieged by Titus. Not only enemies of the empire waged war against it but also warring factions within posed serious threat to the survival of the city and the empire.

Will Jerusalem be destroyed? Will the Roman Empire fall?

Hank Hanegraaff, known as The Bible Answer Man, and president of the Christian Research Institute (CRI), joins hand with Sigmund Brouwer, bestselling author of more than forty novels, to bring out a riveting novel that describes the last days of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The book is well-researched and deftly written.

One drawback of a trilogy, or a series for that matter, is readers’ reluctance to go for a novel whose earlier parts they are not acquainted with. However, though The Last Temple is the final book in its series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel.

Price: $13.99

Publication Date: August 2012

Page Count: 368

Format: Paperback

Pages: 350

Publisher: Tyndale House

ISBN: 0842384464

ISBN-13: 9780842384469

Authors: Hank Hanegraaff, Sigmund Brouwer

I received a complimentary copy of the book through the Tyndale Blogger Network and was not required to give a positive review.

WHAT HE VALUED MOST

A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door. It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral,"
Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.

"The box is gone," he said.

"What box? " Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention.

"Mr. Harold Belser" it read.

Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There  inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover.

Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, thanks for your time! Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most...was...my time."

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.

"Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for your time!"

A PIECE OF CAKE

A little boy is telling his grandma how everything is going wrong.....school, family problems, severe health problems, etc. Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack,which, of course, he does.

"Here, have some cooking oil."

"Yuck" says the boy.

"How about a couple raw eggs?"

"Gross, Grandma!"

"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"

"Grandma, those are all yucky!"

"Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves, but when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why he would let us go through such bad and difficult times, but God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good!

We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!" God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart. If you like, send this on to the people you care about. I did. Hope your day is a "piece of cake!"

CHRISTIAN MATH

A ten year old public school boy was finding fifth grade math to be the challenge of his life. Science? A piece of cake. Geography? No big deal. Spelling? Ha! Give me a break...but math? It was devastating! To not only him, but his mom and dad, too! And not that they weren't doing everything and anything to help their son...private tutors, peer assistance, cd-roms, Textbooks, even hypnosis! Nothing worked.

Finally, at the insistence of a family friend, they decided to enroll their son in a private school. Not just any private school, but a Catholic school. Nuns. Daily mass. The whole shooting match. Well, the first day of school finally arrived, and dressed in his salt-and-pepper cords and white wool dress shirt and blue cardigan sweater, the youngster ventured out into the great unknown. His mother and father were convinced they were doing the right thing. They were both there waiting for their son when he returned home.

And when he walked in with a stern, focused and very determined expression on his face, they hoped they had made the right choice. He walked right past them and went straight to his room - and quietly closed the door.
For nearly two hours he toiled away in his room - with math books strewn about his desk and the surrounding floor. He only emerged long enough to eat, and after quickly cleaning his plate, he went straight back to his room, closed the door, and worked feverishly at his studies until bedtime.

This pattern continued ceaselessly until it was time for the first quarter report card. After school, the boy walked into the home with his report card - unopened - in his hand. Without a word, he dropped the envelope on the family dinner table and went straight to his room. His parents were petrified. What lay inside the envelope? Success? Failure? Doom? Patiently, cautiously the mother opened the letter, and to her amazement, she saw a bright red "A" under the subject, Math. Overjoyed, she and her husband rushed into their son's room, thrilled at the remarkable progress of their young son!

"Was it the nuns that did it?", the father asked.

The boy only shook his head and said, "No."

"Was it the one-on-one tutoring? The peer-mentoring?", asked the mother.

Again, the boy shrugged, "No."

"The textbooks? The teacher? The curriculum?", asked the father.

"Nope," said the son. "It was all very clear to me from the very first day of school, that these folks in Catholic school meant business!"

"How so?", asked his mom.

"When I walked into the lobby, and I saw that guy they'd nailed to the plus sign, I knew they meant business!"

17 INSPIRING AFFLICTION QUOTES

To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort; but to be assured that all things which fall out shall co-operate for their good, that their crosses shall be turned into blessings, that showers of affliction water the withering root of their grace and make it flourish more; this may fill their hearts with joy till they run over || Thomas Watson

God takes away the world, that the heart may cleave more to Him in sincerity || Thomas Watson

God sweetens outward pain with inward peace || Thomas Watson

Not to be afflicted is a sign of weakness; for, therefore God imposeth no more on me, because he sees I can bear no more || Joseph Hall

When we grow careless of keeping our souls, then God recovers our taste of good things again by sharp crosses || Richard Sibbes

The winter prepares the earth for the spring, so do afflictions sanctified prepare the soul for glory || Richard Sibbes

As the wicked are hurt by the best things, so the godly are bettered by the worst || William Jenkyn

Poverty and affliction take away the fuel that feeds pride || Richard Sibbes

I am mended by my sickness, enriched by my poverty, and strengthened by my weakness.... Thus was it with.... Manasseh, when he was in affliction, "He besought the Lord his God": even that king's iron was more precious to him than his gold, his jail a more happy lodging than his palace, Babylon a better school than Jerusalem. What fools are we, then, to frown upon our afflictions! These, how crabbed soever, are our best friends. They are not indeed for our pleasure, they are for our profit || Abraham Wright

Labour to grow better under all your afflictions, lest your afflictions grow worse, lest God mingle them with more darkness, bitterness and terror || John Owen

The secret formula of the saints: When I am in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord's choicest wines || Samuel Rutherford

The way to be eased is not struggling with it, but meekly to bear it.

There is a fable, but it has its moral for this purpose. A certain ass, laded with salt, fell into a river, and after he had risen, found his burden lighter, for the moisture had made it melt away; whereupon he would ever after lie down in the water as he traveled with his burden, and so ease himself. His owner perceiving this craft , after laded him with Wool. The ass purposing to ease himself, as before, laid himself down in the water, and thinking to have ease, rising again to feel his weight, found it heavier || Richard Stock

Look how fears have presented themselves, so have supports and encouragements; yea, when I have started, even as it were at nothing else but my shadow, yet God, as being very tender of me, hath not suffered me to be molested, but would with one Scripture or another, strengthen me against all; insomuch that I have often said, Were it lawful, I could pray for greater trouble, for the greater comfort's sake || John Bunyan

He that rides to be crowned, will not think much of a rainy day || John Trapp

God takes a safe course with His children, that they may not be condemned with the world, He permits the world to condemn them, that they may not love the world, the world hates them...|| Richard Sibbes

Afflictions are light when compared with what we really deserve. They are light when compared with the sufferings of the Lord Jesus. But perhaps their real lightness is best seen by comparing them with the weight of glory which is awaiting us || Arthur W. Pink

ALL TO JESUS

In his latest devotional, author Robert J. Morgan assures readers of God’s purposes, power and grace with  All to Jesus

“Cast all your cares on him.” “Love the Lord with all your heart.” “I can do all things . . . .” Most would be surprised at how often the word “all” appears in the Bible—literally thousands of times. And with each description of God’s comprehensive promises, each reminder of our complete blessing in Christ, each appeal for our full and total surrender, His reputation grows larger before our eyes. We see again what He can do. We see again who we can be.

Based on the Bible’s sizeable emphasis on this tiny yet powerful word “all,” best-selling author and pastor Robert J. Morgan has created a remarkable 365-day spiritual growth experience in his new devotional, All to Jesus: A Year of Devotions (B&H Books, October 2012). A choice sampling of the Bible’s most “all”-encompassing statements, All to Jesus will surround believers each day with inspiring stories, personal reflections and the encouraging assurance that they are cared for in ways they never imagined.
Despite decades of preaching experience, it was just a few years ago that Robert J. Morgan, well-known author of 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart and Then Sings My Soul, began to note the magnitude and frequent use of the word “all” in the Bible. Upon closer inspection, he discovered that it amplifies many of God’s greatest truths, commands and promises nearly six thousand times, proving itself to be one of God’s favorite words.

“Looking up the word in a concordance, I was amazed to find 5,675 “alls” in the Bible,” writes Morgan. “The frequency of this word in Scripture speaks to the all-sufficient grace of our Almighty Savior. It highlights the infinite omniqualities of God, and the complete devotion we should afford Him. He is the Lord of All, our All-in-All, our Almighty God, our All-Sufficient Savior from whom All blessings flow; and He is All we need. “All” is the largest little word in the world, taking already strong statements and broadening their applications to virtual infinity, which, after all, is what one would expect from an omnipotent Father.”

Derived from the pages of real life and a pastor’s heart, each daily reading meets readers in an ever-deeper place, revealing God’s immeasurable power and keen attention to the smallest detail. Truly, He is all we need. All year long.

Format: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 400
Vendor: B&H Books
Publication Date: 2012
Dimensions: 7.13 X 4.25 X 0.10 (inches)
ISBN: 1433677865
ISBN-13: 9781433677861

About the Author: Robert J. Morgan is a best-selling, Gold Medallion Award-winning author whose over twenty-five books include Then Sings My Soul, The Red Sea Rules, 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart and The Children’s Daily Devotional Bible. A staff writer for Dr. David Jeremiah and Turning Points Magazine, he has also served as pastor of The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, for three decades. Morgan and his wife have three daughters and ten grandchildren.