A blonde's car gets a flat tire on the Interstate one day. So she eases it over onto the shoulder of the road.
Friday, July 06, 2007
My Flashers
A blonde's car gets a flat tire on the Interstate one day. So she eases it over onto the shoulder of the road.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
8X8
When you reach the end of your rope you will find the hem of His garment. I'm not breaking this one.
This is ABSOLUTELY beautiful...
I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't, and die to find out there is. Bishop T.D. Jakes '8 Second Prayer.' Just repeat this prayer and see how God moves!
'Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless me, my family, my home, my finances, and all of my friends,
in Jesus' name. Amen.'
RED MARBLES
RED MARBLES
I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes.
I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but
clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.
I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh
green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.
Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation
between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
"Hello Barry, how are you today?"
"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They
sure look good."
"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"
"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."
"Good. Anything I can help you with?"
"No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."
"Would you like to take some home?" asked Mr. Miller.
"No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."
"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"
"All I got's my prize marble here."
"Is that right? Let me see it" said Miller.
"Here 'tis. She's a dandy."
"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort
of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?" the store
owner asked.
"Not zackley but almost."
"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip
this way let me look at that red marble". Mr. Miller told the boy.
"Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller." Mrs. Miller, who had been standing
nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are twoother boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances.
Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.
When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he
doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for agreen marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store."
I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A
short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man,the boys, and their bartering for marbles.
Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just
recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho
community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.
They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends
wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the
mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased
and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army
uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white
shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing
composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged
her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the
casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young
man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale
hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his
eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and
reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me
about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes
glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.
"Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you
about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded"
them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or
size....they came to pay their debt."
"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she
confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest
man in Idaho .."
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her
deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shinedred marbles.
The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind
deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the
moments that take our breath.
Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~
A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...An unexpected
phone call from an old friend...Green stoplights on your way to work...
The fastest line at the grocery store...A good sing-along song on
the radio...Your keys found right where you left them.
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER
THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED
Monday, July 02, 2007
Do you know the Preamble for your state?
end.
Alabama 1901 , Preamble . We the people of the State of Alabama ,
invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish
the following Constitution.
Alaska 1956, Preamble . We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God
and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Arizona ,
grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arkansas ,
grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of
government...
California 1879, Preamble . We, the People of the State of California
, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.
Colorado 1876, Preamble . We, the people of Colorado , with profound
reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging
with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble . Through Divine Goodness all men have, by
nature , the rights of worshiping and serving their Creator according to
the dictates of their consciences.
Florida 1885, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Florida,
grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this
Constitution...
Georgia 1777, Preamble . We, the people of Georgia, relying upon
protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this
Constitution...
Hawaii 1 959, Preamble . We , the people of Hawaii, Grateful for
Divine Guidance .. Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Idaho ,
grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Illinois,
grateful to Almighty God for the civil l, political and religious liberty
which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a
blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble . We, the People of the State of Indiana ,
grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our
form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to
the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our
dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this
Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble . We, the people of Kansas, grateful to
Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this
Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are
grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious
liberties...
Louisiana 1921, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Louisiana,
grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties
we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with
grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in
affording us an opportunity ... And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland ,
grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble . We...the people of Massachusetts ,
acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator
of the Universe . In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and
devoutly imploring His direction ..
Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan ,
grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this
Constitution.
Minnesota 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of Minnesota ,
grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to
perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble . We, the people of Mississippi in
convention assembled, grateful to Al mighty God, and invoking His blessing
on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble . We, the people of Missouri , with profound
reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His
goodness .. Establish this Constitution .
Montana 1889, Preamble.. We, the people of Montana , grateful to
Almighty God for the
blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ..
Nebraska 1875, Preamble . We, the people, grateful to Almighty God
for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble . We the people of the State of Nevada ,
grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V . Every individual has a
natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of
his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble . We, the people of the State of New
Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He
hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on
our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble . We, the People of New Mexico, grateful
to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty
New York 1846, Preamble . We, the people of the State of New York,
grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its
blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State of North
Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for
our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our
dependence upon Him for the continuance of those
North Dakota 1889, Preamble . We, the people of North Dakota,
grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty,
do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble . We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to
Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our
common
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble . Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in
order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... establish this
.
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be
secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the
dictates of their consciences..
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful
to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and
humbly invoking His guidance
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode
Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which
He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble . We, the people of he State of South
Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this
Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble . We, the people of South Dakota,
grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and
indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of
their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble . We the People of the Republic of Texas,
acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble . Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty,
we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble . Whereas all government ought to enable the
individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other
blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe
our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty
of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each
other
Washington 1889, Preamble . We the People of the State of Washington,
grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain
this Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble . Since through Divine Providence we
enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the
people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon
God ..
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to
Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility
Wyoming, 1890, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Wyoming,
grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties ..
establish this Constitution.
After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state
constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, the ACLU and the
out-of-control federal courts are wrong! If you found this to be "Food for
thought" copy and send to as many as you think will be enlightened as I
hope you were .
"One Nation Under God "
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus
Christ
and the American G.I.
~One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.~