Topic: COFFEEHOUSE CHAT FOR CHRISTIANS
JBTHEMILKER's photo
Mon 01/07/08 04:01 AM
Today is the first Monday of 2008.happy Let’s make this a good day!:tongue: What do you say?:smile: This is a day the Lord hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.laugh
I am learning to love all of you.

JBTHEMILKER's photo
Mon 01/07/08 04:01 AM
Edited by JBTHEMILKER on Mon 01/07/08 04:03 AM
I hate when that happens. I hit the "Post Topic" key and nothing happens, when I hit it again, I posted twice. I hate when that happens.

JBTHEMILKER's photo
Mon 01/07/08 04:04 AM
Edited by JBTHEMILKER on Mon 01/07/08 04:05 AM
Red alert! We re on page 49 All take your battle stations, Red alert! We are on page 49!
Britty, Feral Cat Lady... we are on page 49!

Britty's photo
Mon 01/07/08 04:21 AM
:heart: Warning, Warning, Warning,

Nothing to worry about. Everything will turn out just fine.
We have faith, remember :wink: flowerforyou :heart:


Bless those minding cattle,
And those minding sheep,
And those fishing the sea
While the rest of us sleep.


:heart:

Britty's photo
Mon 01/07/08 04:23 AM

Here is a devotional I would like to share.

You Are What you Worship


(David Massey - 2000-01-12)


A friend of mine offered me some wild boar that he had recently bagged on a hunting trip. I politely declined his offer. Then he informed me that the boar was farm-raised on a diet of peanuts. This diet made the boar an exceptional delicacy. Then with all seriousness he said, "You know, you are what you eat." To which I replied, "Well if I eat the boar, I guess I will be a nutty pig!"

My family went to church every Sunday when I was growing up, and a few sermons actually stuck with me over the years. It's funny how at 10 years old, they made no sense, but at 40, I think maybe the preacher was onto something. I remember one particular sermon where the pastor was admonishing the congregation for not coming to church every Sunday; he said that whatever you did on Sunday other than going to church was what you worshipped. As a kid I just tucked that away in my mind and thought "gee, that makes some sense, but seems a bit extreme to me. "

Recently while I was reading the Bible, that sermon from my childhood came back to me in an interesting way. I thought, "We are what we worship; we become what we worship." For example, some people worship crystals, stone or rocks. These items are cold, hard and impersonal. In my opinion, someone who worships a crystal or rock may have a tendency to become cold and impersonal. A businessman like myself may worship work. This could lead to a personality that ebbs and flows with how well or how bad business is going. When the sales are up, the mood is up. When sales are down, the mood is down. Nothing is consistent. I even know a few people who are depressed when the stock market is down and exuberant when it is up! I am sure you can think of other examples.

We Christ-followers claim to worship Christ, Who is God. And what is God? The Bible tells us that God is Love.

1 John 4:8 (NIV) Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
When we worship Christ, we are striving to become like Christ. We never reach that goal, but hopefully we continue to grow in our faith, minute by minute, on this path. The following very-familiar passage will wrap all this up for us.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
To me, this passage is a perfect description of Christ. Christ is patient, Christ is kind. Christ does not envy, Christ does not boast, Christ is not proud. Christ is not rude, Christ is not self-seeking, Christ is not easily angered, Christ keeps no record of wrongs. Christ does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

If I am what I worship and I worship Christ, then I believe should be able to insert my name where I have inserted Christ's name: David is patient, David is kind, etc.

You are what you worship. What are you worshipping today?

:heart:

------------------------------------------------------------

Father, forgive us for worship worldly things. Forgive us when we worship creation and not You the creator. Forgive us for not striving to worship only You. Help us to become more and more like the perfect example You sent for us to follow, Your son Jesus Christ. In His name, Amen.

(David Massey)

:heart:

Britty's photo
Mon 01/07/08 04:26 AM

Hi JB and others who visit,

I posted a couple of questions, a page back from here.

Any thoughts on those?



I have another:

When were you aware that you believed in God, what age?

When did you think about God, what age? Did something
prompt those thoughts?


Britty's photo
Mon 01/07/08 04:28 AM
Another devotional:

96-05-23 - Religion vs Rest

Matt 11:28-30 - [28] Come to Me, all who are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take My yoke upon you for, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. [30] For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

In a discussion I was recently having with the folks I work directly with regarding 'religious systems', I came to a stunning revelation. These people have one idea of Christianity and I have quite another. So, before I can begin to show them even the simplest things, there are very foundational issues that must be corrected.

The idea of 'religion' in their eyes was stained-glass and incense-laden air, along with someone telling them what to do and think. No wonder they resist! Who would not hate this kind of environment? There may certainly be some benifit to the quiet, sequestered surroundings of a 'traditional' church building to meditate and to pray. But the idea of mindlessly accepting something, or just as bad, having it forced on us, would be unbearable.

There are things that our flesh resists, time in prayer and getting up Sunday mornings early... but these are truly light burdens compared to what the world sees coming at them.

How do we present Jesus Christ to the world? Is He a taskmaster, or Someone who truly has their best intrests at heart? Does He come with a hefty rule book? Or, is it the kind of relationship that you eagerly look forward to continuing? How do we share this with the world? We are to be lights. The media are certainly presenting their pricture to the masses. But, if we present a picture that is in sharp contrast to the one they are feed daily, perhaps we can show them the caring and compassionate Lord we know, and Who loves us beyond measure.

flowerforyou flowerforyou flowerforyou flowerforyou

Lord, teach us to be your lights in sharp contrast to this dark and lonely world. Help us to shine on the path that leads people to Your door. Amen.
Peace,

Mike

Britty's photo
Mon 01/07/08 04:29 AM
96-09-18 - Forsaken

Do you ride an emotional roller coaster of faith? Do you feel that sometimes God hides from you? Do you ever wrestle with a problem and never find the insight to explain it? Do you ever wonder why prayers may go unanswered year after year? You are not alone in having these feelings of abandonment by God. You are not alone in having those periods of doubt and frustrations. Look at the words of David in the following Psalms.

Psalm 10:1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

On the cross Jesus quotes Psalm 22:1

Matthew 27:46 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Again in Psalm 13 David cries out:

Psalm 13:1-3 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? 3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
Can you relate to David? I sure can. As you read through the Psalms you see that David does continue to trust God and have faith in God. David realizes as I am sure all of you do, God never turns His face from us. God is always there. We are the ones that turn our backs and hearts from God.

flowerforyou flowerforyou flowerforyou flowerforyou


Father, Forgive me when I doubt your presence. Forgive me when I feel so alone and so distant from you. I know you are always there, always patiently waiting for me. I know sometimes as your child you need to press and mold me into becoming all You want me to become. Help me to praise you for caring so much about me, that you take that time to mold me. As David said in Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; You fill me with joy in your prescence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." In Jesus name, Amen.

David

Britty's photo
Mon 01/07/08 04:31 AM

yet more...

98-02-03 - Faith Tested

Proverbs 24:10 "If you faint in the day of distress, Your faith is small."

For Further Study: Biblical examples of faith, once weak, that later became strong:


Commissioning of Moses, the burning bush, Exodus 3:1-22, esp. 3:11

Aaron and the golden calf, Exodus 32:1-10, 19-29

Peter's Denial, John 18:25-27, John 21:15-17

Zacharias, upon learning of his impending fatherhood to John the Baptist, Luke 1:8-25

Doubting Thomas, John 20:24-29

Sometimes we do not know the strength or weakness of our faith until our faith is tested. An account from church history:


In the 1550's, when there was disagreement over religious convictions the solutions were much simpler than they are today. Generally those in power burned, be-headed, banished, locked-up, or dealt in other various severe ways with the minority.

On October, 16 1554, Bishops Ridley and Latimer were to be burned at the stake for their Protestant convictions. Archbishop Thomas Crammer was to watch from a tower, with the understanding that, "you are next". The two Bishops were tied to the stake and gunpowder was placed around them to make quick work of the task. Latimer, is reported to have said to his companion, "Be of good cheer, brother; we shall this day kindle such a torch in England as, I trust God, shall never be extinguished." Latimer died quickly, as he was very old. Ridley lived for a while among the flames.

This sight was more than Archbishop Crammer could stand. He renounced his faith, recanting it in writing. His actions were published all over the country. And while his faith was small for a while, he must have realized that it is never to late to return to a merciful Lord. He recanted his recantation. When he was tied to the stake, in the presence of a mass of people, he produced from his bosom the paper which contained his initial recantation. In a symbolical gesture, he took it and threw it into the flames. In a last gesture, he said, "This which hath sinned, having signed fer punishment." Placing his arm and hand over the fire, Crammer burned them himself.

This example from church history shows both that being faint in the day of distress happens, and yet that it is never to late to come clean and live the life of faith and trust in the Lord.

Now we don't have burnings much in the modern church, although I think we would all be very surprised how many around the world do pay with their lives for their faith in Christ. Our struggles are different; inviting a neighbor to church, or to a neighborhood investigative Bible study, taking a stand on a moral or ethical issue with our colleagues at work, and the like. Nevertheless, we still must not faint when called upon to show our faith to be strong.

"You don't know what faith you have until it is tested."

Rees Howells

Has anything tested your faith recently?

:heart:


Britty's photo
Mon 01/07/08 04:34 AM
1 more for good measure:

97-07-19 - Proof of the Inspiration of the Entire Bible

The Comprehensive Series, Part 5

The Restraint under which the Bible Writers Wrote
Take for instance the first verse of the Bible " In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The thought expressed has caused scientists, theologians and philosophers to search out in vain, the methods and means that God used to create the universe. Men always give detailed accounts of their accomplishments so others may appreciate them more - not so with Biblical writers. God states simply and clearly His achievements. The second verse of the Bible is written by one who was divinely restrained. "But the earth became a desolation and a waste" (literal translation). Some scientists have endeavored to find out how the earth, which was made perfect according to Deuteronomy 32:4 -- The Rock, his work is perfect; For all His ways are justice: A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he. -- became a desolation and a waste. The Biblical writers just record bare facts in a way as no inspired authors have written.

The Accuracy of the Scriptural Account

The Bible brings an accurate and truthful account of all that they narrarate. There has never been any evidence unearthed that throws any discredit on any Biblical account. Whenever the Scriptures are allowed to give their message without any distortion, or forcing upon language a meaning contrary to the data, they will be found to agree perfectly with known and established facts. Luke wrote a profound statement of the accuracy of Scripture. Luke 1:1-4 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to draw up a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, even as they delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus; that thou mightest know the certainty concerning the things wherein thou wast instructed.

The Biblical Characters are True to Life

Secular writers, myself included, tend to idolize their heroes, while they present their lesser characters as villains or worse. When I wrote Goodbye My Friend my original transcripts contained way too much of this and unfortunately delayed my completion of the manuscript for months until they could be satisfactorily edited. This is not so in the Scriptures; they set forth the failures, shortcomings and sins of the great men of God with the same candor and frankness as they do the enemies of God. The Spirit of truth presents all things and people in their true light.

The Bible's Universal Message to All

The Bible message when it is embraced, lifts anyone regardless of race or location from sin to the high level of righteousness. The Biblical authors were lifted above the evils of prejudice, and made God's promises available to all.

The Scriptural Presentation of Matters Concerning the Universe, Man and Sin

The writers of the Bible presented the correct idea concerning God, the universe, man, his nature, history, outlook into the future and the life beyond this one. God is revealed as the Creator, Preserver and Controller of the universe - the One in whom all men live and move and have their continual being. He also provides all of man's necessities. The writers also described man's case accurately. Their writings allow man to look into how he really is. No man can be honest with himself and at the same time deny that the feelings and the emotions of his innermost being are other than those set forth in the Bible. They have presented man in his fallen condition, in need of the saving grace of God. They have traced all the evil in the world to Satan and the corrupt nature of the human heart. The Biblical writers had the correct estimate of sin and the results in the lives of men.

Matthew 15:19-20 For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings: these are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not the man.

Correctness and Accuracy of the Scriptures Revealed Through the Prophetic Outline Presented in the Bible

The prophets were spokesmen for God and told of matters past, present and future. A careful study of Leviticus, chapter 26, shows that Moses outlined the checkered history of Israel from his day forward to the time when God's Chosen people will come back into fellowship with Him. Events have turned out exactly as Moses foretold 3500 years ago. The prophet Daniel in chapters 2 and 7 foretold of 4 world empires which would be suceeded by a 5th one --the Kingdom of Messiah. There have been only 4, and these men were able to forecast the future simply by the Spirit of God and no other means.

The Writings of Many Men under Various Circumstances Through Many Centuries

The 66 books of the Bible are unified in plan and purpose. The writers were different in temperment and intellect and lived in different places under varying conditions. It is impossible to gather so many men apart from the Bibl ical writers under so many different circumstances, and over such a length of time, and find them all speaking one and the same message.

The Scriptures Satisfy a Longing Heart

Millions upon Millions of People Testify both now and past that the longing of their souls was only satisfied by the message of salvation presented in the Scriptures. The Lord Jesus alone can satisfy the yearnings of the human heart. The message not only satisfies now but prepares us for eternity.

The Inexhaustibleness of the Word of God

The Bible is an inexhaustible source of wisdom and knowledge in every field. Some of the greatest minds in the past have tried to dig out those truths from the Bible,and the more they studied, the more profound the Bible became to them. This is my conclusion also, through many years of study. At the end of their very studious lives they have confessed they had only touched the surface of knowledge contained in the Scriptures.

In His Service,

Rick

:heart:

Britty's photo
Mon 01/07/08 04:35 AM

97-11-21 - Assurance of Faith

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end. Hebrews 6:11

Assurance of faith is grounded in the promises in the Word of God and the inward evidences of grace in our hearts. Assurance is an awareness of our position in Christ. The presence of the fruit of the Spirit and the testimony of the Spirit witnessing to our Spirit that we are children of God. Romans 8:28ff.

Question: How a man may be in conscience assured of his own election?

Answer: Before I come to the question it selfe, this conclusion is to be laid down as a maine Grounde: That Election, vocation, faith, adoption, justification, sanctification, and eternal glorification, are never separated in the salvation of any man, but like inseparable companions, goe hand in hand; so as he that can be assured of one of them, may infallibly conclude in his owne heart, that he hath, and shall have interest in all the others in his due time. William Perkins

We may wait long for assurance of faith. It is possible to have real faith and lack assurance. The Puritans said that assurance in not totally grounded in faith and emphasized the importance of the experience of the Christian and the reality of his or her lifestyle and what that lifestyle revealed. The Puritans were concerned with our conscience and our experience of assurance.

It is the very drift and design of the whole Scripture, to bring souls first to an acquaintance with Christ, and then to an acceptance of Christ, and then to build them in a sweet assurance of their actual interest in Christ. Thomas Brooks

Another sure mark of sensible faith and comfort, is this; that they that have tasted of it, CAN NEVER BE SATISFIED, but still hunger and labour for more.

Ezekiel Culverwell

There are those who struggle with assurance of faith and this can lead to additional stuggles. Even struggling that there even exists a struggle about assurance can be discouraging. However, there is nothing wrong with this form of Christian strife. In fact, it is likely that stuggling in the Christian faith is a good sign that faith has a real and true presence in the life of the struggler. If there were no faith, there would be no struggle about heavenly things.

:heart:

Britty's photo
Mon 01/07/08 04:42 AM
98-06-18 - Mocking the Unknown

The Cross Series, Part 40

Luke 23:35-39 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One." 36 And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!" 38 Now there was also an inscription above Him, "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." 39 And one of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" (NAS)
An early 20th century philosopher was quoted as saying with regard to the automobile that it was surely impossible to travel much faster than 25 miles per hour since the wind flying in the face of the driver would choke him to death. Today we find that statement to be ridiculous. We have cars that are flirting with the sound barrier. The Apollo spacecraft on the way to and from the Moon have traveled beyond 25,000 miles per hour; liftoff faster than 5 miles per second. The next generation space probes will use an ion propulsion that should allow the spacecraft to travel at a measurable fraction of the speed of light. If you had asked this fellow what he might have thought of things like that, he would have thought you mad or deluded.

The gentleman who was in charge of building one of the first true electronic computers was asked if he saw a big future for these amazing devices. The machine was capable of completing one instruction every three seconds. He pronounced that he could only ever see a need for two or three of these machines in the entire nation. Whether you have received this document by electronic mail or our web site, the computer you used would stagger the imagination of the designer of that early computer.

We are often convinced of things, as a race of people, that turn out to be quite the opposite of reality. It is not hard for us to see how someone from the era of the 1900's might have believed that travel beyond 25 miles per hour might be hazardous. The uses we have conjured up for computers probably never would have occurred to men and women of the 1950's. And yet, today cars travel comfortably at 65 miles per hour and large scale computers are running a billion instructions per second. There is no end in sight to the acceleration.

The Jewish nation had waited milena for their Messiah to come when Jesus arrived. But the Christ did not come as they expected Him to come. The people were looking and longing for a King to free them from the Romans and establish Israel as His throne. Even the Apostles could not see that gentiles could accept Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit. There was considerable debate. That man naked, bleeding and dying on the cross could hardly be the Messiah King. It was beyond their comprehension just as riding a bike is beyond a toddler. Some would allow the possibility to be considered. Mary's broken heart never wavered. John had the courage to come to the foot of the cross as well. The Roman Centurion would soon make a staggering statement of faith. These people would reach out beyond the accepted mode of thinking and into the unknown.

Isa 55:7-8 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. (NAS)

It is easy to mock or nay-say what we don't understand or believe possible. But that will not stop someone from building a car that will soon officially break the sound barrier. It does not stop Jesus from being Messiah and Lord of Creation. "Save Yourself and us!", they taunted. The jeers, spitting and insults not withstanding, Jesus had indeed come to save them. And their sins and ours were paid for in spite of the fact that they could not see how it was being done.

flowerforyou


Lord Jesus - It is hard for us to know that our ways and thoughts are so small and narrow that we can not understand Your ways and thoughts. It is a humbling moment when we consider this idea. Still Your pardon and mercy are also beyond our understanding. Help us to accept both and be open to the things You have to show us. Amen.

Peace,

Mike

Britty's photo
Mon 01/07/08 04:44 AM
God's Embroidery

When I was a little boy, my mother used to embroider a great deal. I would sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. She informed me that she was embroidering. I told her that it looked like a mess from where I was. As from the underside I watched her work within the boundaries of the little round hoop that she held in her hand, I complained to her that it sure looked messy from where I sat.

She would smile at me, look down and gently say, "My son, you go about your playing for a while, and when I am finished with my embroidering, I will put you on my knee and let you see it from my side."

I would wonder why she was using some dark threads along with the bright ones and why they seemed so jumbled from my view. A few minutes would pass and then I would hear Mother's voice say, "Son, come and sit on my knee." This I did only to be surprised and thrilled to see a beautiful flower or a sunset. I could not believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy. Then Mother would say to me, "My son, from underneath it did look messy and jumbled, but you did not realize that there was a pre-drawn plan on the top. It was a design. I was only following it. Now look at it from my side and you will see what I was doing."

Many times through the years I have looked up to my Heavenly Father and said, "Father, what are You doing?" He has answered, "I am embroidering your life. " I say, "But it looks like a mess to me. It seems so jumbled. The threads seem so dark. Why can't they all be bright?"

The Father seems to tell me, "'My child, you go about your business of doing My business, and one day I will bring you to Heaven and put you on My knee and you will see the plan from My side."

(IM4JESUS!)


TiffaIrishGirl's photo
Mon 01/07/08 06:30 AM

Red alert! We re on page 49 All take your battle stations, Red alert! We are on page 49!
Britty, Feral Cat Lady... we are on page 49!


JB...LOL...flowerforyou Helping to make it to the fifty page ;)

Hope all your days all going well and blessed...its an unseasonally warm day in Northern Ohio today...kind of rainy...but its GREAT!!!!

I kind of am working on no sleep (okay okay...I did NOT sleep last night at all)...I've been talking to a guy, we both work in the tourism industry and have very odd hours that coincide with each others...but make for late nights...or early mornings...

But we've talked soooo much and we seem to have a good amount in common. We're going to talk on the phone today...its silly to be nervous talking on the phone :tongue: But I think because its planned it makes me even more nervous...but at the same time comfortable...because I know he's nervous too...

I've been praying hard to God that if this is right that He will guide us and give us strength for the things to come. But aye I'm nervous, and I'm hoping that its not just the newness of it that keeps me coming (I've, uh, never really dated beforeblushing ...I'm 23 for those who might ask, though in this topic I don't plan on such questions).

We're going to send each other VDay cards...really only because we're being silly (you have to understand we each have interesting sense of humors :wink: hehehe...I post here don't I), So well lol...there is sooooo much more, but considering we talk a very very long time each night I don't think I can fit those, even a brief, onto a post...

Well anyway...don't really know why I'm posting this...just searching for support and typing this to a Christian chat allows me to focus on God and His Love and Support. (Yes the guy is from Ohio..as am I...as Feral knows :wink: and YES he is a Christian).

Okay Okay...so I'm done...Blessings to you all

(man I need a cup of joe...I'm tired)drinker blushing flowerforyou

no photo
Mon 01/07/08 06:45 AM

Red alert! We re on page 49 All take your battle stations, Red alert! We are on page 49!
Britty, Feral Cat Lady... we are on page 49!

RED ALERT ....RED ALERT....RED ALERT...RED ALERT...
captain a non-christian has been spotted in sector page 49 ..
lock phasers on target ..sulu perpare proton torpedoes
FIRE

Britty's photo
Mon 01/07/08 06:48 AM

Good morning Funches,

Hope you have a great day.

flowerforyou

no photo
Mon 01/07/08 08:27 AM


Good morning Funches,

Hope you have a great day.

flowerforyou



why thank you Britty my days are always great but today have become very special with your gesture of flowers ..and I say "ditto" to you ..."Ditto" said in the way Patrick Swayze told Demi Moore in the movie "GHOST"

feralcatlady's photo
Mon 01/07/08 08:56 AM
Good morning all......And see funches you didn't burn up by coming and visiting us.....laugh love

And yes we are almost there....giggle.


Tiff I am glad your comfortable enough to share whats on your mind and in your heart. It means alot. And I hope the chats progress and maybe this is the one God is leading you too....stranger things have happen....

Handing nice mug of coffee to my partner Britty....Good morning sweets.....We actually have snow at my house......very rare here.....

I also received this from my friend Lisa and wanted to share.

God Bless

Debbie

Puppy Size
This is one of the neatest stories you will ever hear. You will know
precisely what this little girl is talking about at the end (you'll
want to share this one with your loved ones and special friends)!


"Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this," the mother told the volunteer.

"What is it she keeps asking for?" the volunteer asked.

"Puppy size!" replied the mother.

"Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for." "I know...we have seen most of them," the mom said in frustration... Just then Danielle came walking into the office
"Well, did you find one?" asked her mom. "No, not this time,"
Danielle said with sadness in her voice. "Can we come back on the weekend?"

The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed "You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply," the volunteer said.
Danielle took her mother by the hand and heade d to the do or. "Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend," she said.

Over the next few days both mom and dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. "It's this weekend or we're not looking any more," Dad finally said in frustration.

"We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size either," Mom added. Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs.

Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted.

Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one.

One by one she said, "Sorry, you're not the one."
It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer. "Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!" she screamed with joy. "It's the puppy size!"

"But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks," Mom said. "No not size... the sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed," she said. "Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love,
the bigger the sighs!" The two women looked at each other
for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.

"Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms," she said.

Then holding the puppy up close to her face she said, "Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!"


Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh.


Take the time to stop and listen; you will
be surprised at what you hear. "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our
breath away. May your New Year be filled with SIGHS!


no photo
Mon 01/07/08 09:07 AM

Good morning all......And see funches you didn't burn up by coming and visiting us.....laugh love

And yes we are almost there....giggle.


but I must admit that it's hotter than hell in this place

Britty's photo
Mon 01/07/08 09:15 AM


Well Funchies, that must be due to the lovely ladies around here, and I am sure there are plenty of guys who will agree with that.

We got some cold water, freshly chilled. Oh, you could always take a cold shower :wink:

flowerforyou

Couldn't resist, bought out the mischief in me.

I like Ghost of course, who would not like Patrick Swayze.

:heart: