GOD'S COFFEE

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and in life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups-- porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite--telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said, "If you noticed, all the nice-looking, expensive cups were taken up leaving behind the plan and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases, it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink."

He continued, "What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups...and then you began eyeing each others' cups. Now consider this. Life is the coffee; the jobs, houses, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."

God brews the coffee, not the cups...
Enjoy your coffee! The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything!

Live simply, love generously, care deeply, and speak kindly,
Leave the rest to God.
Enjoy your coffee today, literally and spiritually.

Mike

You can view Mike's Daily Blessings at http://www.TheWoods.phpbbnow.com

 Please invite Mike to your friends list here:

 http://community.adlandpro.com/go/papaof7/ 

Paul said, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col. 4:6).

The Oil of Kindness

There was an old man who carried a little can of oil with him everywhere he went. If he passed through a door that squeaked, he poured a little oil on the hinges. If a gate was hard to open, he oiled the latch. So he went through life lubricating all the hard places and making it easier for those who came after him. People thought he was odd; but the old man went steadily on, refilling his can of oil when it became empty and oiling the hard places he found. He did not wait until he found a creaky door or a rusty hinge and then go home to get his oil; he carried it with him.


There are many lives that creak and grate harshly day by day. They need lubricating with the oil of kindness, gentleness, or thoughtfulness. That can of oil is predominantly one that characterizes the Christian religion. The task of using it belongs to those who claim to be Christians. As the old man kept his oil with him, so we need to keep our Christian kindness handy. It does no good if left at home or in the church.

No doubt you’ve had a day filled with frustration or disappointment. Something breaks down, a phone call with bad news, an unexpected illness, bad weather, or a bad attitude can ruin one’s day. How nice to hear an encouraging word, to get an uplifting note, to feel a warm embrace, or to receive a small gift. A smile can help a lot. If this is how we wish to be treated, let us also treat others the same way (Matt. 7:12).

Paul said, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col. 4:6). To the Ephesians Paul said our speech should be “only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Eph. 4:29).

Keep the machine oiled, and it will last much longer. Keep the heart oiled, and it will bless a thousand other hearts. ~Phil Sanders

Phil Sanders practices what he preaches. He seems to have a bottomless container of soothing oil. I have received his “oil” many times.

Some of you that will read this message are the same type of person. You know who you are; S.L., S.G., S.C., P.D., D.B. and many others. Thank you for freely pouring your oil on others. What a beautiful world this would be if we all could build a “down line” of oilers.

Have a beautiful day!

Mike

Please invite Mike to your friends list here:

 http://community.adlandpro.com/go/papaof7/ 

You can view Mike's Daily Blessings at http://www.TheWoods.phpbbnow.com

FINISH THE RACE

Christians, I call upon you to be not deterred. All the hype surrounding the supposed “discovery of Jesus’ bodily remains”, along with Mary’s, is nothing but another Hollywood style slander of God Himself. This has gone on since the beginning of time and we will not be moved!

Every prophecy about the Christ was fulfilled. The Holy Word of God has endured these thousands of years despite all the attempts to disprove it. I tell you from God’s word that Jesus was born to the virgin Mary, died a cruel death to save all people (even those who ridicule Him and spread lies about Him). But, that is not the end of the true story. He overcame the grave and arose! Read Matthew chapter 28 and the other gospel accounts for the truth. Particularly note Matthew 28:6; “He is not here, for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”


What should our reaction be to such news? Act like Christians. Do not stoop to the level of the false prophets. Be kind; pray for those in their unbelief. Stay the course and be able to say the words of the apostle Paul; “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

HE IS RISEN!

Mike

You can view Mike's Daily Blessings at http://www.TheWoods.phpbbnow.com

 Please invite Mike to your friends list here:

 http://community.adlandpro.com/go/papaof7/ 

MikeBumbalough Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Nashville, TN

Posted: Mar 01, 2007 09:38    Post subject: TOMB OF JESUS? Today, in light of the stir concerning the alleged discovery of Jesus’ bones along with others close to him, I am sharing the following that speaks to the issue better than I presently am able. TOMB OF JESUS? By Edward Fudge With fanfare befitting its subject, The Discovery Channel has announced its TV special in March 2007 on “The Lost Tomb of Jesus.” The film is directed by James Cameron (“Titanic”) and Simcha Jacobovici, the latter being also co-author with Charles Pellegrino of the forthcoming book The Jesus Family Tomb. This media sensation stems from the 1980 discovery during routine construction work in Jerusalem of a first-century family burial plot. Inside the tomb were bone-boxes (called “ossuaries”) on which were inscribed the names “Mary,” “Mariamne,” “Matthew,” Jesus son of Joseph,” “Joseph” and “Judah son of Jesus.” Because these names were so common in first-century Palestine, the 1980 discovery aroused almost no scholarly interest. But by mixing the ho-hum bare facts with a generous stirring of imagination, the above-mentioned producers and authors have cranked out a spectacular tale of the very family tomb of Jesus Christ, featuring Mary Magdalene as his wife and their previously unknown son Judah. (“Matthew” is supposedly Mary’s unknown relative who somehow got included.) The actual facts are far less sensational. These six names were all popular at the time these folks lived and died. Israeli archaeologist Amos Kloner says that of 900 period tombs uncovered around Jerusalem, 71 have included someone named “Jesus” and at least one other housed a “Jesus son of Joseph.” (James Charlesworth of Princeton Theological Seminary says that he has a first-century letter from Palestine written by one “Jesus” to another “Jesus” and witnessed by a third “Jesus.”) One of every five females in first-century Palestine was named “Mary” (of which “Mariamne” is but another form). The Discovery Channel boasts DNA testing in support of its story. In fact, its DNA tests prove at most that this particular “Mariamne” and this particular “Jesus” were not related through their mothers. There is absolutely no real evidence, DNA or otherwise, that “Mariamne” is Mary Magdalene; that this “Jesus” is Jesus Christ; that either of these individuals was married to anyone, much less to each other; or that “Judah” is their son. Besides all that, the New Testament portrays Jesus’ family living in Nazareth of Galilee at the opposite end of Palestine from Jerusalem. By all indications, the family was poor and was un likely to have a family tomb anywhere. In addition, Jesus’ opponents (but not his family or his followers, to our knowledge) referred to him as the “son of Joseph.” According to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, both Jesus’ mother and his stepfather were informed by angels that Jesus’ conception by Mary was divinely generated apart from human agency. The Discovery Channel’s website claims that its presentation poses no threat to Christian faith since it still allows for Jesus to have experienced a “spiritual” resurrection and ascension into heaven. Suffice it to say that either the Old Testament, intertestamental Jewish literature, Jesus’ enemies or his followers thought in terms of resurrection without the body. This was why Jesus’ opponents expended special effort to guard the tomb in which his corpse was actually placed, requesting and receiving from Pilate a Roman guard specifically assigned to preventing Jesus’ disciples from stealing the body then claiming he was raised from the dead. They had no need to worry. As it happened, the disciples required the multiple testimony of others and numerous personal appearances by Jesus (including his eating fish and pointing out his crucifixion scars) before they were convinced themselves. Once convinced, however, they paid with their lives rather than recant their own sure testimony that Jesus truly died, was buried and arose from the dead. James Cameron is a master film-maker and Jacobovici/Pellegrino are skilled authors. Their problem is not any lack of expertise in their respective crafts. Their problem is the fanciful nature of the story they so skillfully tell. For in the bright light of day it is pure fiction. Far from a factual documentary supported by credible evidence, it is only a conjecture built on a supposition resting on a speculation. Copyright 2007 by Edward Fudge. Permission herby granted to reprint this gracEmail in its entirety without change, with credit given and not for financial profit. To visit our multimedia website, click here: http://www.edwardfudge.com/ or go to www.EdwardFudge.com . “Let my soul take refuge…beneath the shadow of your wings; Let my heart, this sea of restless waves, find peace in You, O God. ~Augustine Stand up, stand up for Jesus. Mike

You can view Mike's Daily Blessings at http://www.TheWoods.phpbbnow.com

Please invite Mike to your friends list here:

 http://community.adlandpro.com/go/papaof7/