The big picture

I had a thought this morning that I wanted to share. I was listening to a song on the radio, Before The Morning, Josh Wilson. Then I could see in my mind, one of those big pictures that are made out of a bunch of little pictures. It was beautiful, but as I zoomed in I could see that the small pictures it was made of were not all beautiful. Some were awful; hunger, sickness, death. Sometimes I think that is how our lives really are, when we think that something is horrible and God doesn't care, what we are experiencing is just part of the bigger picture. I think I may have to learn how to make one of these with all of my thousands of pictures. It just might be interesting. 

"Whack A Mole"

I really need to write about my feelings so if you don’t like it when I vent, stop reading now.

Yesterday I was having a difficult day. My sister was in a situation over which I had no control. I could not help her in any way. I was frustrated. I posted on my Facebook that I needed to find an arcade with a “whack a mole” or a shooting range. Friends asked what was up and I told them that if my sister didn’t come up with enough money by Sunday then she was going to be living in her car. Well another person involved in her situation took all this personally and posted a reply. I realized that this person had taken this personally so I deleted the status that I had posted. Next she started attacking me by posting 3-4 times in under 5 minutes on my wall. She was saying that I wanted to shoot a mole; that I wanted to shoot her. I was so baffled by what she was saying that I asked what she was talking about and she stated that she had seen my post. Well I knew she had seen it, it was her reply that made me delete it as I did not want to be offensive. So after the 3^rd or 4^th post on my wall I deleted her and blocked her. I decided for safety to remove any one else associated with that situation except my sister.

Anyway let me be clear, “whack a mole” is a game. They used to have them in arcades. I loved to go play it when I was frustrated as a teen.

Pictures of "whack a mole"

Arcade? Oh that is where we used to spend our allowances before all these electronic games became things you can play in your home for free. Anyway it is a physical game where these little things pop up, they don’t even look like moles, and you whack them with a mallet. Really great for working out frustrations; kind of like a punching bag, but you don’t hurt your knuckles.

I learned a little later in life that when I do not have access to a “whack a mole” that throwing shoes works great, thanks Peg! I also learned that throwing breakables breaks them and then you have to clean them up. So the next best thing to “whack a mole”, scuffing my shoes or breaking something is a shooting range, where I can take my handgun or rent one and blow off some steam by shooting a inanimate targets. This is what I do when I am frustrated by a situation that I have no control over. It is how I deal. Well I had no access to those things yesterday and so I posted that I wish I had.

I did not intend to offend anyone or to make the situation worse. For that I apologize!

I am now fairly certain that there is no one on my friends list that would attack me for anything I happen to post, so I plan to post whatever I want and if you are offended you can leave, how is that? I am who I am and I am not perfect; I am a work in progress. I do not expect us to agree on everything but if we don’t, I believe we can discuss it like adults or keep our mouths shut (or our fingers still).

Inspirational 12/24/10 A Letter from Jesus

A Letter from Jesus

Author: Unknown

A letter from Jesus about Christmas:

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

If you want to celebrate My birth, just get along and love one another. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting My birth, take down a few of your Santa’s and Snowmen and put up a Nativity on your own front yard. If all of my followers did that, there wouldn’t be any need for a manger scene in any town square because you would see them all over town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a ‘Holiday Tree’ instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made ALL of the trees. You can remember me every time you see any tree.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is my list:

Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birth is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers who are far away from home. They are afraid and lonely this time of the year. I know, because they tell me all the time.

Visit someone in a nursing home who will be alone this Christmas if you don’t go.

Instead of giving your kids a lot of presents that you can’t afford and they won’t play with in a few days, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

Do you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel alone and hopeless? Since you don’t know who that person is, give everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make all of the difference.

Instead of nit-picking your retailer who calls it a holiday instead of Christmas, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a smile, a kind word and there is nothing stopping you from wishing them Merry Christmas.

If you really want to make a difference, support a Missionary who is spreading My love and Good News to people who have never heard My name.

There are people in your town that will not only have no tree, but no presents to give or receive either. If you don’t know them personally, give to a local charity that believes in Me and they will deliver a meal and presents for you.

Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Let people know who and who’s you are by your actions.

Don’t forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I’ll take care of the rest. Check out the list I have made and get to work; time is short. I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love.

Remember: I LOVE YOU,

Jesus

“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” –Luke 22:19

“Daarop neem Hy brood, en nadat Hy gedank het, breek Hy dit en gee dit aan hulle en sê: Dit is my liggaam wat vir julle gegee word; doen dit tot my gedagtenis.” – Luke 22:19

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In His Service,
Sherry and Jim Heard
Sherry’s Inspirational list


MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to be the channel, not the source, through which we pray God’s blessings may flow to others. Our ministry is not to provide counseling, advice, or doctrinal interpretation. For this we refer you to local spiritual leaders who may know and deal with your needs more personally. It is our prayer that God may truly bless your day through the inspiration we seek to channel your way. In Him, Sherry and Jim Heard


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Inspirational 12/23/10 The Spirit Of The Season

The Spirit Of The Season

Author: Unknown

"The old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve. He hadn't been anywhere in years since his wife had passed away. He had no decorations, no tree, no lights.  It was just another day to him.  He didn't hate Christmas, just couldn't find a reason to celebrate.  There were no children in his life. His wife had gone.

He was sitting there looking at the snow that had been falling for the last hour and wondering what it was all about when the door opened and a homeless man stepped through.  Instead of throwing the man out, George, Old George as he was known by his customers, told the man to come and sit by the space heater and warm-up.

"Thank you, but I don't mean to intrude," said the stranger.

"I see you're busy.  I'll just go" "Not without something hot in your belly," George turned and opened a wide mouth Thermos and handed it to the stranger.

"It ain't much, but it's hot and tasty.  Stew.  Made it myself.

When you're done there's coffee and it's fresh."

Just at that moment he heard the "ding" of the driveway bell.

"Excuse me, be right back," George said.

There in the driveway was an old 53 Chevy.  Steam was rolling out of the front.  The driver was panicked.

"Mister can you help me!" said the driver with a deep Spanish accent.

"My wife is with child and my car is broken."

George opened the hood.  It was bad.  The block looked cracked from the cold; the car was dead.  "You ain't going in this thing," George said as he turned away.

"But mister.  Please help...."The door of the office closed behind George as he went in. George went to the office wall and got the keys to his old truck, and went back outside.

He walked around the building and opened the garage, started the truck and drove it around to where the couple was waiting.

"Here, you can borrow my truck," he said.  "She ain't the best thing you ever looked at, but she runs real good."

George helped put the woman in the truck and watched as it sped off into the night. George turned and walked back inside the office.

"Glad I loaned em the truck.  Their tires were shot too.

That 'ol truck has brand new tires........" George thought he was talking to the stranger, but the man had gone.  The thermos was on the desk, empty with a used coffee cup beside it.

"Well, at least he got something in his belly," George thought.

George went back outside to see if the old Chevy would start.

It cranked slowly, but it started.  He pulled it into the garage where the truck had been.  He thought he would tinker with it for something to do.  Christmas Eve meant no customers.

He discovered the block hadn't cracked, it was just the bottom hose on the radiator.

"Well, I can fix this," he said to himself.  So he put a new one on.

"Those tires ain't gonna get 'em through the winter either." He took the snow treads off of his wife's old Lincoln.

They were like new and he wasn't going to drive the car.

As he was working he heard a shot being fired.  He ran outside and beside a police car an officer lay on the cold ground.

Bleeding from the left shoulder, the officer moaned, "Help me."

George helped the officer inside as he remembered the training he had received in the Army as a medic.  He knew the wound needed attention.  "Pressure to stop the bleeding," he thought.  The laundry company had been there that morning and had left clean shop towels.  He used those and duct tape to bind the wound.

"Hey, they say duct tape can fix anythin'," he said, trying to make the policeman feel at ease.  "Something for pain," George thought.  All he had was the pills he used for his back.

"These ought to work." He put some water in a cup and gave the policeman the pills.

"You hang in there.  I'm going to get you an ambulance."

George said, but the phone was dead.  "Maybe I can get one of your buddies on that there talk box out in your police car."

He went out only to find that a bullet had gone into the dashboard destroying the two way radio.  He went back in to find the policeman sitting up.

"Thanks," said the officer.  "You could have left me there.

The guy that shot me is still in the area."

George sat down beside him.  "I would never leave an injured man in the Army and I ain't gonna leave you." George pulled back the bandage to check for bleeding.  "Looks worse than what it is.

Bullet passed right through 'ya.  Good thing it missed the important stuff though.  I think with time your gonna be right as rain."

George got up and poured a cup of coffee.  "How do you take it?" he asked.

"None for me," said the officer.

"Oh, yer gonna drink this.  Best in the city." Then George added: "Too bad I ain't got no donuts."

The officer laughed and winced at the same time.  The front door of the office flew open. In burst a young man with a gun.

"Give me all your cash!  Do it now!" the young man yelled.

His hand was shaking and George could tell that he had never done anything like this before.

"That's the guy that shot me!" exclaimed the officer.

"Son, why are you doing this?" asked George.  "You need to put the cannon away. Somebody else might get hurt."

The young man was confused.  "Shut up old man, or I'll shoot you, too.

Now give me the cash!"

The cop was reaching for his gun.

"Put that thing away," George said to the cop.  "We got one too many in here now."

He turned his attention to the young man.  "Son, it's Christmas Eve.  If you need the money, well then, here.  It ain't much but it's all I got.

Now put that pee shooter away."

George pulled $150 out of his pocket and handed it to the young man, reaching for the barrel of the gun at the same time.

The young man released his grip on the gun, fell to his knees and began to cry.

"I'm not very good at this am I?  All I wanted was to buy something for my wife and son," he went on.  "I've lost my job.

My rent is due.  My car got repossessed last week..."

George handed the gun to the cop.  "Son, we all get in a bit of squeeze now and then.  The road gets hard sometimes, but we make it through the best we can."

He got the young man to his feet, and sat him down on a chair across from the cop. "Sometimes we do stupid things."

George handed the young man a cup of coffee.  "Being stupid is one of the things that makes us human.  Comin' in here with a gun ain't the answer.  Now sit there and get warm and we'll sort this thing out."

The young man had stopped crying.  He looked over to the cop.

"Sorry I shot you.  It just went off.  I'm sorry officer."

"Shut up and drink your coffee." the cop said.

George could hear the sounds of sirens outside.  A police car and an ambulance skidded to a halt.  Two cops came through the door, guns drawn.  "Chuck!  You ok?" one of the cops asked the wounded officer.

"Not bad for a guy who took a bullet.  How did you find me?"

"GPS locator in the car.  Best thing since sliced bread.

Who did this?" the other cop asked as he approached the young man.

Chuck answered him, "I don't know.  The guy ran off into the dark.  Just dropped his gun and ran."

George and the young man both looked puzzled at each other.

"That guy works here," the wounded cop continued.

"Yep," George said.  "Just hired him this morning.  Boy lost his job."

The paramedics came in and loaded Chuck onto the stretcher.

The young man leaned over the wounded cop and whispered, "Why?"

Chuck just said, "Merry Christmas, boy.  And you too, George, and thanks for everything."

"Well, looks like you got one doozy of a break there.  That ought to solve some of your problems." George went into the back room and came out with a box.  He pulled out a ring box.

"Here you go.  Something for the little woman.  I don't think Martha would mind.  She said it would come in handy some day."

The young man looked inside to see the biggest diamond ring he ever saw.  "I can't take this," said the young man.

"It means something to you."

"And now it means something to you," replied George.

"I got my memories.  That's all I need."

George reached into the box again.  A toy airplane, a racing car and a little metal truck appeared next.  They were toys that the oil company had left for him to sell.  "Here's something for that little man of yours." The young man began to cry again as he handed back the $150 that the old man had handed him earlier.  "And what are you supposed to buy Christmas dinner with?  You keep that, too.

Count it as part of your first week's pay." George said.

"Now git home to your family."

The young man turned with tears streaming down his face.

"I'll be here in the morning for work, if that job offer is still good." "Nope.  I'm closed Christmas day," George said.  "See ya the day after." George turned around to find that the stranger had returned.

"Where'd you come from?  I thought you left?"

"I have been here.  I have always been here," said the stranger.

"You say you don't celebrate Christmas.  Why?"

"Well, after my wife passed away I just couldn't see what all the bother was.  Puttin' up a tree and all seemed a waste of a good pine tree.

Bakin' cookies like I used to with Martha just wasn't the same by myself and besides I was getting a little chubby."

The stranger put his hand on George's shoulder.  "But you do celebrate the holiday, George.  You gave me food and drink and warmed me when I was cold and hungry.  The woman with child will bear a son and he will become a great doctor.

The policeman you helped will go on to save 19 people from being killed by terrorists. The young man who tried to rob you will become a rich man and share his wealth with many people.

That is the spirit of the season and you keep it as good as any man." George was taken aback by all this stranger had said.  "And how do you know all this?" asked the old man.

"Trust me, George.  I have the inside track on this sort of thing.  And when your days are done you will be with Martha again." The stranger moved toward the door.

"If you will excuse me, George, I have to go now.  I have to go home where there is a big celebration planned."

George watched as the man's old leather jacket and his torn pants turned into a white robe.  A golden light began to fill the room.

"You see, George, it's My birthday.  Merry Christmas."

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” - Ephesians 4:24 

“en julle met die nuwe mens moet beklee wat na God geskape is in ware geregtigheid en heiligheid.“ - Ephesians 4:24 

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In His Service,
Sherry and Jim Heard
Sherry’s Inspirational list

MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to be the channel, not the source, through which we pray God’s blessings may flow to others. Our ministry is not to provide counseling, advice, or doctrinal interpretation. For this we refer you to local spiritual leaders who may know and deal with your needs more personally. It is our prayer that God may truly bless your day through the inspiration we seek to channel your way. In Him, Sherry and Jim Heard

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Inspirational 12/22/10 Who Started Christmas?

Who Started Christmas?
Author: Unknown

This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids. She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year.

Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every house-warming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry we already crucified him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” - Psalms 100:4 

“Gaan sy poorte in met lof, sy voorhowe met lofgesang; loof Hom, prys sy Naam.” - Psalms 100:4 

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In His Service,
Sherry and Jim Heard
Sherry’s Inspirational list

MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to be the channel, not the source, through which we pray God’s blessings may flow to others. Our ministry is not to provide counseling, advice, or doctrinal interpretation. For this we refer you to local spiritual leaders who may know and deal with your needs more personally. It is our prayer that God may truly bless your day through the inspiration we seek to channel your way. In Him, Sherry and Jim Heard

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Inspirational 12/21/10 The Greatest Gift

The Greatest Gift

Author: Joseph Frith

Story Editor: Joyce Schowalter

It was the Christmas season, and as I drove home from work I thought how this year was unlike any Christmas I'd ever experienced. Springfield, Illinois, is completely opposite from the Roanoke Valley of Virginia I'd always called home.

My wife and I met on the Internet, and shortly after we married I moved west to her home in Illinois. Two wonderful daughters, Jamie and Audrey, came with the marriage, and I was happy... but still, for the first time at Christmas, my family and friends were 800 miles away.

A few weeks earlier my wife, Betsy, had asked me about my Christmas traditions. I told her we always had ham for Christmas dinner. "What else?" I told her about Mom's applesauce cake; every year Mom baked at least six cakes, mostly for gifts. Each year she said they were too much trouble, yet she kept making them. The first Christmas after she died there was no applesauce cake -- then my sister started making them.

Talking about mom's cake reminded me of my grandmother, who lived with us while I grew up and was like a second mother to me. I told my wife about Grandma's boiled custard. If it had been any thicker you'd have had to eat it with a spoon, and it was so rich that a small cup was enough.

Long after she stopped "doing for the grandchildren," only getting presents for her great-grandkids, she still made custard for me, saying, "I know how much you love it and your Christmas wouldn't be the same without it." Sadly, she never wrote down the recipe, so when she passed away no one knew how to make it.

When I got home and walked into the house, an aroma and a flood of memories hit me: applesauce cake! My wife came from the kitchen. I started to ask how she knew the right recipe. "I got the recipe from your sister; I hope it turned out OK." I told her if it tasted as good as it smelled it would be perfect.

After dinner on Christmas day, Betsy asked, "Who wants cake?" Of course we all did. She asked me to go to the living room and the girls would bring the cake in. A minute later Jamie handed me a plate and Audrey set a cup on the tray next to me.

Inside the cup -- it couldn't be -- custard! It was golden yellow and almost too thick to pour. Looking up through tears I saw my wife standing in the doorway. She said, "I found the recipe on the Internet; I hope it tastes like your grandmother's". And it did, it tasted just like I remembered.

Late that night, after everyone else was in bed, I sat in the living room lit only by the Christmas tree. I realized that the greatest gift I'd gotten that day hadn't been under the tree: it had been in my wife's heart.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” –Proverbs 18:10

“Die Naam van die HERE is ‘n sterk toring; die regverdige hardloop daarin en word beskut.” –Proverbs 18:10

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In His Service,
Sherry and Jim Heard
Sherry’s Inspirational list

MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to be the channel, not the source, through which we pray God’s blessings may flow to others. Our ministry is not to provide counseling, advice, or doctrinal interpretation. For this we refer you to local spiritual leaders who may know and deal with your needs more personally. It is our prayer that God may truly bless your day through the inspiration we seek to channel your way. In Him, Sherry and Jim Heard

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Inspirational 12/20/10 The True Meaning Of Christmas

The True Meaning Of Christmas

Author: Jim Strong

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened...

I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out.

"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.

 He then answered me with a simple statement. "TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled; what did he mean?

He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. "Teach the children that I, Santa Clause symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave His One and Only Son" "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented him with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return."

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship Him, our Lord, our God.

“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.” –Luke 1:31

“En kyk, jy sal swanger word en ‘n Seun baar, en jy moet Hom Jesus noem.” –Luke 1:31

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In His Service,
Sherry and Jim Heard
Sherry’s Inspirational list

MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to be the channel, not the source, through which we pray God’s blessings may flow to others. Our ministry is not to provide counseling, advice, or doctrinal interpretation. For this we refer you to local spiritual leaders who may know and deal with your needs more personally. It is our prayer that God may truly bless your day through the inspiration we seek to channel your way. In Him, Sherry and Jim Heard

When forwarding / copying, please include the entire message.

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