--ENCOURAGING WORDS ~~
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By: Susan Maycinik

"COULD I speak to the manager?" My friend's sudden query to our waitress startled me. Our dinner at a popular pizza restaurant had seemed uneventful, and I wondered what Eileen was up to.

The manager appeared at our table a few minutes later. "What can I do for you?" she asked hesitantly, as if she were expecting yet another reprimand from an angry customer.

"I just wanted you to know that our waitress tonight has really been exceptional," Eileen began. Then she described several things our server had done that impressed her.

The manager was obviously relieved--and delighted. So was the waitress, who was standing nearby. The four of us laughed and chatted for a few minutes. Eileen had made the day of two hard-working women...and left an indelible impression on me of the power of positive words.

When we think about our words, it's easy to focus on the ones we'd like to retrieve. Fortunately, however, there are certain phrases that are almost always the right thing to say--words that communicate love and encouragement. Here are a few:

"You do that really well."

"May I pray for you right now?"

"How are you, really?"

"What you said helped me."

"I was wrong."

"Thanks for leading/serving."

"Have I offended you?"

"I appreciate the way you _____________."

"What can I do to help?"

"Tell me about your day, job, kids..."

"Please forgive me."

"I still love you."

"God is big enough to _________."

"I'm proud of you."

You're really growing."

"Please come over for dinner."

"I missed you."

"I'm so happy for you."

"I prayed for you today."

"That must be very difficult."

"I'll be glad to!"

In short, if there are words YOU'D like to hear, it's a good bet they would encourage others, too. ~~

--UNCONDITIONAl LOVE ~~

God says, "I love you no matter what you do." His love is unconditional and unending.

We are so preciously loved by God that we cannot even comprehend it. No created being can ever know how much and how sweetly and tenderly God loves them. It is only with the help of His grace that we are able to persevere in...endless wonder at the high, surpassing, immeasurable love which our Lord in His goodness has for us. ~

--Julian of Norwich

"I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness."

--Jeremiah 31:3 NIV -

--"THE FLY"
By: Max Lucado

Inspiration ~

'Don't make the mistake of the fly I encountered in the airplane. That's right, on a recent flight a fly buzzed about in the cabin. How odd. A fly flying inside a flying plane. Why would a fly fly during a flight? Was he helping the plane? Doing his part to keep the craft airborne? Why did the fly in the plane fly in the plane?

I asked him. Catching his attention, I inquired, "Mr. Fly, why do you fly? Why don't you sit down and enjoy the journey?"

His reply smacked of smugness. "And let the plane crash? Why, this craft needs me. My wings are essential to our safety." And with a puff of the chest he flew toward the front of the plane. As he returned some moments later, he didn't look so confident. Fear flickered in his tiny eyes "I don't think I can keep it up!"

"Keep what up?"

"The plane! I don't think I can keep the plane up. I'm flying as furiously as I can. But my wings are weary. I don't know how long I can do this."

I opted for frankness.
"Don't you know it's not up to you? You are surrounded by strength, held aloft by power that is not yours. Stop flying! It's not up to you to get this plane home."

He looked at me as if I were crazy and told me to 'buzz off'.

I so hope you won't. Some of you need to sit down. You fly furiously back and forth, ever busy, always thinking the success of this journey is up to you. Do you fear letting up?

Look out the windows. God's wings sustain you. God's engines empower you. You can flap like a fly and not accelerate this flight. It's your job to sit and trust; to receive." ~~

From: 'Come Thirsty- by Max Lucado
~~~~~~~~~

-Words of Encouragement......be blessed!
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Someone has written these beautiful words.
They are like the 'Ten Commandments' to follow in life all the time.
---
1] Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout life.

2] So, why is a car's windshield so large and the rear view mirror so small?
Because our past is not as important as our future. So, look ahead and move on.

3] Friendship is like a book. It takes years to write, but only a few seconds to burn.

4] All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, it will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, 'This too shall pass.'

5] Old friends are Gold! New friends are Diamonds! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a base of Gold!

6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, God smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend in the road, not the end!"

7] When God solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when God doesn't solve your problems, HE has faith in your abilities.

8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"

9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them; and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.

10] Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace.

If this was meaningful to you, please pass to others.
It may brighten someone's day... JESUS LOVES YOU! Have a nice day. In God We Trust~

--Jesus Still Works Miracles Today-

Tell me, why are all the stories of Jesus' miracles in the Bible? Why are the Gospels full of such people? Such hopeless people? Though their situations vary, their conditions don't. They are trapped. Estranged. Rejected. They have nowhere to turn. On their lips, a desperate prayer. In their hearts, desolate dreams. And in their hands, a broken rope. But before their eyes a never-say-die Galilean who majors in stepping in when everyone else steps out.

Surprisingly simple, the actions of this man. Just words of mercy or touches of kindness. Fingers on sightless eyes. A hand on a weary shoulder. Words for sad hearts....all fulfilling the prophecy: "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out" (Isaiah 42:3 NIV).

Again I ask. Why are these portraits in the Bible?...Why did God leave us one tale after another of wounded lives being restored. So we could be grateful for the past? So we could look back with amazement at what Jesus did?

No. No. No. A thousand times no. The purpose of these stories is not to tell us what Jesus did. Their purpose to tell us what Jesus does.

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning" Paul penned, "that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4).
We ask, "Where is God when I hurt?"

Please remember, the goal of these stories is not to help us look back with amazement, but forward with faith. The God who spoke then, still speaks. The God who forgave still forgives. The God who came still comes. He comes into our world. He comes into your world. He comes to do what you can't. He comes to move the stones you can't budge.

The Lord knows exactly how many hairs are on your head. He loves YOU. Take the Bible as a personal love letter, just for YOU. He loves you with an everlasting love. All He asks is that you receive Him, a free gift, so you will have eternal life with Him and other Christians in heaven.

-Our Part....
"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." [Matthew 10:32-33 NASB]

If you are already saved, then we have work to do. "Go and tell [others] what I have done, that where I am, you may be also."

--Max Lucado

--HEAVEN'S MUSIC~~

--MY grandson would be entering the world today. "We still haven't decided on a name, Dad. Any ideas? Mom?"
My laboring daughter-in-law asked between contractions if we had come up with a name.

"I'm going to pay a visit to the Chapel downstairs," Dad said, "Be back shortly."

Pushing the button for the elevator, I whispered a prayer, "Send your angels with the perfect name for our grandson, Lord."

Sunshine streamed through the chapel window sending beams of hope to my soul. "Be with Deb as she labors, Lord. Lord, please help us choose a name suitable for You."

A short while later, I ended my prayer and slowly made my way out the door, with no name for my grandson in my heart.

At the elevator I suddenly froze in place. The song, "Oh Danny Boy" filled the air from the hospital intercom.

"Thank You!" I whispered, whistling all the way back to the delivery room.
"I think we should name our grandson Daniel!" I announced, hearing the excitement in my own voice.
Deb's mouth dropped open.

--What's wrong? I asked.
"Chuck, she cried as my son entered the room. "Tell your dad what name we just decided on."

"Daniel. The name came on a breeze as I walked across the parking lot. I called Deb on the cell phone to tell her," my son chuckled.
It seems the angels had been whispering my grandson's name all over the place. I couldn't wait to set eyes upon our bundle from Heaven.
--"Welcome to the world Danny Boy!" ~~

---
-Some lovely music and video for the soul. Be Blessed!
---Cat Stevens / Morning Has Broken = (1971)

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we-n-Zmglt0>

--CREATION CALLS,
How could I say there is no God, when all around Creation Calls. Praise the LORD!
I BELIEVE! I BELIEVE....I BELIEVE!

'...just like a child.'

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZDFZCkdAU4>

--A TINY SEED, A TINY DEED / REACH OUT!
--The Bible says, “Do not despise small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin!”

--I see what others have done with their lives and before I even get started—I’m discouraged. 'What can I possibly do that God isn’t already doing through someone else?'

Against a towering giant, a brook pebble seems futile. But God used it to topple Goliath. Compared to the tithes of the wealthy, a widow’s coins seem puny. But Jesus used them to inspire us all! Moses had a staff. David had a sling. Samson had a jawbone. Rahab had a string. Mary had some ointment. Dorcas had a needle. All were used by God.

What do you have? Much more than you might think! God inhabits the tiny seed. He empowers the tiny deed! Never discount the smallness of your deeds!
--Grace for the Moment/ML
[We all have 'things' that we have but never use. In good condition, just stored up on a shelf. Or maybe in a closet. We see people with no food to eat, or money to pay their rent. Can't we, 'God's chosen few', help others, in Jesus Name. A neighbor may not have the money to pay rent, or no money to buy groceries. There are many people hurting on this planet, and we are here to help others.

Jesus said, "Whoever gives a glass of cold water to a child, because he is My disciple, I tell you the truth he will certainly not lose his reward."(Matthew 10:42)~ Let's reach out and help those less fortunate, in the Name of Jesus. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

---Encouraging Words ~~

--'The wife must see to it that she respects her husband."
---[Ephesians 5:33/ NASB]

---MY husband Rick and I have been married for thirty years. I've spent entirely too much time thinking about his irritating behavior.
I kept a mental list of what bothered me.

**We don't have inside doorknobs in the log cabin he built us.

**He stopped going to the barber and began cutting his hair in the bathroom sink.
**He jumps to new projects without finishing the ones he's already started.

My list grew. Seems there was no end to Rick's annoying habits--or to my nagging. Then I had lunch with a friend who raved about her husband. He brings her flowers and loves antique shopping.

"Yeah, but doesn't he ever aggravate you? I asked.
"Sure, but the good outweighs the bad."

All afternoon her words moved in my heart. I began to remember the excellent things about Rick.

**He's generous. He gave a used car to a single mom.

**He attends our children's baseball and softball games.
**He teaches the Bible to high school boys.
**Every day the man makes me laugh..
I went through the alphabet and thought up positive descriptions:

**He's available.
**He's bold.
**He cares about down-and-out.
**He's determined.

Now when I wipe his hair out of the sink or push open the knobless bedroom doors, I say: "Wow! You built this home just for us." You have the gift of giving. Thanks, Rick~~
Keep up the service for our Lord. ~~

--Guideposts/ JG

---His compassions fail not. They are new every morning

--My Aunt , at one hundred years old, doesn't string her present moments together as she used to. She says her memory's getting "thin." That's a a hard for her to accept. when her reasoning still works fine. ' Each experience is a first-of-it's kind for Aunt Betty, a "fresh first." Watching her is like riding a Ferris Wheel s and rediscovering the same exhilarating sights every time it goes around.

--One of my favorite "fresh fruits" is the pie that her daughter Margy gives her. Every morning Aunt Betty is surprised to find pie on her kitchen counter. "Where'd this come from" she asks. She it's from Margy, she gets another surprise. "How dear of her,,:" she responds.

Why do I allow my daily life to become dull with familiarity? Why can.t I catch a ride on the Ferris Wheel and see things with new enthusiasm? How long since I've felt stirred by God's gifts of sight and sound and movement, of sun and rain and sky, of friends and faith and purpose?

Aunt Betty's wheel of of "fresh fruits'' is a sweep spin of gratitude and joy, eagerness and surprise It's the best ride going, whether you're one or one hundred. ~~

--"Creator God, lead me in circles of recurring wonder for things that seem commonplace. ~~
--ODB//CK~

--Service With A Smile ~~

---A man wrote a letter to a small hotel in a midwest town he planned to visit on his vacation He wrote:

I would very much like to bring my dog with me. He is well behaved. Would you be willing to permit me to keep him in my room with me all night?

An immediate reply came from the hotel owner who said =

'I've been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time I've never had a dog steal towels, bed clothes or silverware or pictures off teh walls

I've never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I've never had a dog run out on a hotel bill.

Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at my hotel. And, if your dog will vouch for you, you're welcome to stay here, too.

--Chicken Soup For the Soul ~