This morning I've received the following inspiring & positive message and want to share it here with my friends on MB'ers:

SOMETIMES...

We must be hurt in order to grow,
We must fail in order to know,
We must lose in order to gain.

Some lessons are learned best only through pain.

SOMETIMES…
Our vision clears only after our eyes are washed with tears.
We have to be broken, so we can be tender,
We are sick so we can rest and think better on things more important than work or fun,
We are taken for trip near death, so we can assess how we’ve run.

SOMETIMES…

We have to suffer lack, so we can know God’s provision,
We have to feel another’s pain, so we can have a sense of mission.

So take heart, my friend, if you don’t understand today,
Instead of grumbling, ask God what He means to say,
In order to learn you must endure, and learn to see the bigger picture.

In order to grow, you must stand and look beyond the hurt,
Trust in God’s loving hand that takes what is Good, and gives what is Best,

And on this blessed thought, rest your anxious heart with all the questions,

God’s hand only gives what his loving heart dictates.

Sometimes the Lord calms the storm,
Sometimes He lets the storm rage… and calms His child.
Better go through the storm with Him,
Than smooth waters without Him.

Have a nice weekend everyone! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Blessings,
Suzet

<small>[ August 19, 2004, 02:00 AM: Message edited by: Suzet* ]</small>

Suzet I hope for the faith to lean on God alone.

You have a great weekend too.

Suzet
This is beautiful. Have taken a copy for me to re read when I am feeling down. Thankyou. Have a happy weekend <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

WH 52
BS 48
DD 24
DS 22
H had several A's over 10 yrs
Working at staying together forever

Thanks Bob & eyesopened!

Here is extra inspirational messages & encouragement (I’ve already post it before). Maybe it will be of some help & meaning to someone again: <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

IN MY WEAKNESS

When you're lost in a sea of indifference,
When you're drowning, but nobody cares,
When it seems all is lost, though you've paid the high cost
And you can't pierce the ceiling with prayers;
When you're standing for right ~ but alone in your fight ~
When your heart is breaking in two;
Dear friend, just recall the sparrows that fall ~
He really does care for you.

Sometimes in losing, we win more,
And sometimes the battle's not o'er;
Sometimes the struggle brings forth the strength
To raise us up where eagles soar.
When we have reached the high places
And we gaze at the valley below
The tapestry woven, will look from above
Like it never could from here below.

God does have a plan and a purpose,
And things never happen by chance;
What you see through the lens with study
Is not just the same as a glance.
So when troubles and trials beset you,
Hold on! And study with care!
And you'll find the trace of His finger -
You'll know he is answering prayer!

It is not just the present and past He can see -
And it's not just the loss or the win;
But He sees beyond and He sees results -
He knows how the twig turns and bends.
I like to think that each twist and turn
In this gnarled old bark of mine,
Drove my roots deeper still, seeking guidance until
They're forever entwined in Thine!

Let me not live a life that's free From "THE THINGS" that draw me close to THEE.

For how can I ever hope to heal the wounds of others I do not feel
If my eyes are dry and I never weep?
How do I know when the hurt is deep
If my heart is cold and it never bleeds?
How can I tell what my brother needs?
For when my ears are deaf to the beggar's plea
And we close our eyes and refuse to see,
And we steel our hearts and harden our mind,
and we count it a weakness whenever we're kind,
We are no longer following THE FATHER'S WAY
Or seeking His guidance from day to day
For, without "crosses to carry" and "burdens to Bear,"
We dance through a life that is frothy and fair,
And "chasing the rainbow" we have no desire
For "roads that are rough" and "realms that are Higher"-

So spare me no heartache or sorrow, dear Lord,
For the heart that is hurt reaps the richest reward,
And God enters the heart that is broken with sorrow
As He opens the door to a BRIGHTER TOMORROW,
For only through tears can we recognise
The suffering that lies in another's eyes.

BETWEEN YOU & GOD

People are often unreasonable,illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway

If you are kind, people may accuse you of being selfish, and having ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

What you spend years building, someone may try to destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you have anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it’s between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.

<small>[ August 17, 2004, 01:15 AM: Message edited by: Suzet* ]</small>

AMEN!

thanks suzet for these, passing them on to others.

Don’t let go of Hope.
Hope gives you the strength to keep going
When you feel like giving up.

Don’t ever quit believing in Yourself.
As long as you believe you Can,
You will have reason for Trying.

Don’t let anyone hold your Happiness in their Hands;
Hold it in yours, so it will always be
within your Reach.

Don’t measure success or failure by material wealth,
But by how you Feel;
Our feelings determine the richness of our Lives.

Don’t let bad moments overcome You;
Be patient,
and they will pass.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for Help;
We all need it
from time to time.

Don’t run away from love but towards Love.
Because it is
your deepest Joy.

Don’t wait for what you want to come to You.
Go after it with all that You Are,
Knowing that Life will meet you Halfway.

Don’t feel like you’ve lost
When plans and dreams fall short of your hopes.
Anytime you learn something new
About Yourself or about Life,
You have progressed.

Don’t do anything that takes away
From your Self-Respect.
Feeling good about Yourself
Is essential to feeling good about Life.

Don’t ever forget how to Laugh
Or be too proud to Cry.
Or too stubborn to Smile

Don’t ever forget a friend who truly loves You
As it could be that friend who is true to your Needs
Don’t ever forget who helped you Grow as your need
for more seeds may often re-appear

With all the above live life to its Fullest…

Sorry, double post.

<small>[ August 18, 2004, 09:11 AM: Message edited by: Suzet* ]</small>

Something else to share for the day! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

GOD SPEAKING

The man whispered, "God, speak to me"
And a meadowlark sang.
But the man did not hear.

So the man yelled "God, speak to me"
And the thunder & lightning rolled across the sky.
But the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God, let me see you." And a star shined
brightly.
But the man did not see.

And, the man shouted, "God, show me a miracle" And a life was born.
But the man did not notice.

So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me, God, and let me know you are
here"
Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.
But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

I found this to be a great reminder that God is always around us in the
little and simple things that we take for granted...

The good news is that you are loved.
Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you
expect.

Let's keep hope, love & faith.

IT'S IN THE VALLEYS I GROW

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then I have to remember
That it's in the valleys I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.

I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys I grow.

I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.

My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!

REMEMBER...
The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is
the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who
kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.

Have a blessed day everyone! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Bump

interview with God

ark

Ark,

This is SO beautifull! Thanks for sharing. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Suzet

THE CRACKED POT

Long, long ago…

There was a water bearer with a cracked pot and a perfect pot…

The cracked pot leaked and could thus only deliver only half a pot of water each trip…

It was ashamed of its imperfections and after two years, it tried to apologize to the water bearer…

Cracked pot: “Master, I’m ashamed of my weakness!”

Water bearer: “Why?”

Cracked pot: “All these years, I’m only able to deliver half a load of water… Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work and it’s not worth the effort!”

Water bearer: “As we return to the Master’s house, I want you to notice the side of the path…

Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about you flaws and took advantage of it.

I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day, you have watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my Master’s table.

Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace this house.”

Each of us have our own unique flaws, we all are cracked pots.

Don’t be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them. And you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.

HE GATHERS EVERY TEARDROP

Regardless of the circumstance,
Regardless of the fear,
Regardless of the pain we bear,
Regardless of the tear.

Our God is ever in control,
Performing as He should,
And He has promised in His Word
To work things for our good.

But as a loving Father would,
He sometimes lets us cry
To cleanse the hurt out of our heart,
To wash it from our eye.

Yet gently gathers the tears
Within His hands to stay
Until He turns them into pearls,
and gives them back someday.

TEARDROPS IN GODS' BOTTLE

God, who saw your yesterdays,
Sees all of your tomorrows.
He sees your pain and heartache,
And keeps track of all your sorrows.

God knows each hurting, lonely child,
He sees the soul that weeps.
The righteous tears He gathers,
God, in His bottle, keeps.
Not one will be forgotten,
Not one is overlooked.
The teardrops God has gathered
Are recorded in His book.

Each footstep is remembered
On the winding path we trod.
Each precious tear is treasured,
For they touch the heart of God.

Suzet, i know i posted this separately but thought i would post it here for others future reference <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

MEMO FROM GOD
Effective immediately, please be aware that there are changes you need to make in your life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill my promises to you -- to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. I know, I already gave you the 10 Commandments. Keep them. But follow these 10 guidelines, also.

1. QUIT WORRYING- Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST- Something needs to be done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to me. And although my to-do-list is long, I am after all, God. I can take care of anything you put into my hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME- Once you've given your burdens to me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on my list. Problem with finances? Put it on my list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For my sake, put it on my list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE- Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with me and forget about them. Just let me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME- I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But, there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please don't forget to talk to me - OFTEN! I love you. I want to hear your voice. I want you to include me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with me. I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH- I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in me that I know what I'm doing. Trust me, you wouldn't want the view from my eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE- You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT- I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes me a little longer than you expect to handle something on my to-do-list? Trust in my timing, for my timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND- Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for my sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF- As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only - to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes my heartache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don't ever forget that!With all my heart I love you,God

Roughroad,

This is SO true, precious & beautiful… Thanks for sharing it here! If there is anything else you also want to share, please do so! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> It will be good & helpfull to have all these uplifting stuff in one place.

Blessings,
Suzet

PUSH

A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room
filled with light, and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had
work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his
cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock
with all his might. So, this the man did, day after day.

For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders
set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock,
pushing with all of his might.

Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out,
feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Since the man was showing discouragement, the adversary
(Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the
weary mind: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long
time, and it hasn't moved." Thus, he gave the man the impression
that the task was impossible and that he was a failure.

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan said,
"Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the
minimum effort; and that will be good enough."

That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make
it a Matter of Prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.

"Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service,
putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after
all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter.
What is wrong? Why am I failing?

The Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you
to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push
against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never
once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was
to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking
that you have failed. But, is that really so?

"Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back
sinewy and brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure,
your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have
grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have.

"True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient
and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. That
you have done. Now I, my friend, will move the rock."

At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own
intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is
just a simple obedience and faith in Him.

By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is
still God who moves the mountains.**

When everything seems to go wrong .. just P.U.S.H.!
When the job gets you down ... just P.U.S.H.!
When people don't react the way you think they should .... just P.U.S.H.
When your money is "gone" and the bills are due ...just P.U.S.H.!
When people just don't understand you ..... just P.U.S.H.!

P= Pray
U= Until
S= Something
H= Happens

A STORY OF LOVE ( NOT A LOVE STORY )
Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all repaired their boats and left. Love was the only one who stayed.

Love wanted to persevere until the last possible moment. When the island was almost sinking, Love decided to ask for help. Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat.

Love said, " Richness, can you take me with you? " Richness answered, " No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."
Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel, " Vanity, please help me! "
" I can't help you Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered.
Sadness was close by so Love asked for help, " Sadness, let me go with you."

" Oh...Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself ! " Said sadness.
Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her !

Suddenly, there was a voice, " Come Love, I will take you." It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that he even forgot to ask the elder her name. When they arrived on dry land, the elder went her own way. Love realizing how much he owed the elder asked Knowledge, another elder, " Who helped me?"

" It was Time," Knowledge answered.

" Time? " asked Love. " But why did Time help me? "

Knowledge smiled with deep Wisdom and answered, "Because only TIME is capable of understanding how great LOVE is."

Roughroad, thanks for those! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Here is a another 'Story of love' although this one is called 'A love story':

A LOVE STORY

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.
Ah the beauty of God's creation is beyond description.
As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work.
As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.

He asked me,

"Do you love me?" I answered, "Of course, God!
You are my Lord and Savior!"
Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"
I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest
of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to
do, the things that I took for granted. And I answered,
"It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."

Then the Lord said,

"If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"
How could I love something without being able to see it?
Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation.
So I answered, "It's hard to think of it, but I would still love you." The Lord then asked me,
"If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"
How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood.
Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered,
"It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."

The Lord then asked,

"If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"
How could I praise without a voice?
Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul.
It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but
when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered,
"Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name."

And the Lord asked,

"Do you really love Me?" With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly,
"Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!"
I thought I had answered well, but...
God asked,

"THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"

I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."

"THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST?
WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?"

No answers. Only tears.

The Lord continued:

"Why only sing at fellowships and retreats?
Why seek Me only in times of worship?
Why ask things so selfishly?
Why ask things so unfaithfully?"

The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

"Why are you ashamed of Me?
Why are you not spreading the good news?
Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when offer My shoulder to cry on?
Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"

I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.

"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away.
I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away.
I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge.
I have spoken to you but your ears were closed.
I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away.
I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away.
I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all."

"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME?"

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief.

I had no excuse. What could I say to this?
When my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said,
"Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."
The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My Child." I asked,
"Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?"

The Lord answered,

Because you are My Creation. You are my Child. I will never abandon you.

When all you need is a friend to listen to you when you whine
When all you need is someone to catch your tears, I’ll be there.
When the one you care about the most could care less about you
When the one you gave your heart to throws it in your face, I’ll be there.
When you start to cry after hearing a sad song
When the tears just won’t stop falling down, I’ll be there.
When you heart hurts so bad you can’t even breathe
When you just want to crawl up and die, I’ll be there.

When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you.
When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you.
When you are down, I will encourage you.
When you fall, I will raise you up.
When you are tired, I will carry you.
So you see, I’ll be there until the end.
If you ever need met just give me a call and…I’ll be there.
I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever.

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold?
How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, "How much do You love me?"
The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior. And for the first time, I truly prayed.

<small>[ August 25, 2004, 03:01 AM: Message edited by: Suzet* ]</small>

roughroad - thanks for the story about the man and the rock, i shall keep PUSHing!!