http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=HoE9APleuaI

Barry and Kim ( Barb's Friend's )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V94shlqPlSI

popping corn

..> ..>

"The Duck & the Devil" . . . There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm.  While there, he was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods.  He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back home for dinner. As he was walking back, he saw Grandma's pet duck.  And, just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hitting the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved!  In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching!  Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes."  But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen."   Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?"  So Johnny did the dishes.   Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted togo fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help me make supper." Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help."   She whispered again, "Remember the duck?"  So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.  After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer.  He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know.  You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you.   I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."           ________________________ Thought for the day... and every day thereafter: Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, aner, bitterness, etc.) ...  whatever it is .You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing.  He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven.    He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you.  The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets.  It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.

JUST A MOM?
>A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office
>was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.
>She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
>"What I mean is," explained the recorder,
>"do you have a job or are you just a......?"
>"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.
>"I'm a Mom."
>"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,"
>said the recorder emphatically.
>I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the
>same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
>The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
>efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like,
>"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."
>"What is your occupation?" she probed.
>What made me say it?
>I do not know.
>The words simply popped out.
>"I'm a Research Associate in the field of
>Child Development and Human Relations."
>The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
>looked up as though she had not heard right.
>I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
>Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
>in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
>"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,
>"just what you do in your field?"
>Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
>I heard myself reply,
>"I have a continuing program of research,
>[what mother doesn't)
>in the laboratory and in the field,
>(normally I would have said indoors and out).
>I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
>and already have four credits (all daughters).
>Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
>(any mother care to disagree?)
>and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it)
>But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and
>the rewards are
>more of a satisfaction rather than just money."
>There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
>completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.
>As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
>I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
>Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
>(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
>testing out a new vocal pattern.
>I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
>And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and
>indispensable to mankind than
>"just another Mom."  Motherhood!

Someday when my children are old enough to
understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will
tell them, as my Mean Mom told me: I loved you
enough . . . to ask where you were going, with whom,
and what time you would be home.

I loved you enough to be silent and let you
discover that your new best friend was a creep.

I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours
while you cleaned your room, a job that should have taken 15 minutes.

I loved you enough to let you see anger,
disappointment, and tears in my eyes. Children must
learn that their parents aren't perfect.

I loved you enough to let you assume the
responsibility for your actions even when the
penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.

But most of all, I loved you enough . . . to say
NO when I knew you would hate me for it.

Those were the most difficult battles of all. I'm
glad I won them, because in the end you won, too.
And someday when your children are old enough to
understand the logic that motivates parents, you will tell them.

Was your Mom mean? I know mine was. We had the
meanest mother in the whole world! While other kids
ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal, eggs, and toast.
When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat
sandwiches.
And you can guess our mother fixed us a dinner that was
different from what other kids had, too.

Mother insisted on knowing where we were at all
times. You'd think we were convicts in a prison. She
had to know who our friends were, and what we were
doing with them. She insisted that if we said we
would be gone for an hour, we would be gone for an hour or less.

We were ashamed to admit it, but she had the nerve
to break the Child Labor Laws by making us work We
had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to
cook, vacuum the floor, do laundry, empty the trash
and all sorts of cruel jobs. I think she would lie
awake at night thinking of more things for us to do.

She always insisted on us telling the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth. By the time
we were teenagers, she could read our minds and had
eyes in the back of her head. Then, life was really tough!

Mother wouldn't let our friends just honk the horn
when they drove up. They had to come up to the door
so she could meet them. While everyone else could
date when they were 12 or 13, we had to wait until we were 16 .

Because of our mother we missed out on lots of
things other kids experienced. None of us have ever
been caught shoplifting, vandalizing other's
property or ever arrested for any crime. It was all her fault.

Now that we have left home, we are all educated,
honest adults. We are doing our best to be mean
parents just like Mom was.

I think that is what's wrong with the world today.
It just doesn't have enough mean moms!

Dear children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are
taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I was not
actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your
predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a
time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered at
anytime.

This celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you
who
have been blessed with children of your own. If you want to celebrate My
birth just,love one another. Let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live does not allow a scene
depicting My birth, then just get rid of Santas and snowmen, and put in a
small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers  did
that
there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because
there
would be many of them all around 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 trees.

You can & may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine
if
you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who  I am
in
relation to you & what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that
one,
look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my
list.
Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday
is
being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from
home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they
tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them
personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards
his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that
you'll
be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be
nice
hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and
they don't need, 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.

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

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own
life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't
know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it
could
make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local
Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the
holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm
smile
and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry
Christmas"
that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on
Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd  close
and
let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary,
especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never
heard
My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one: There are individuals & whole families in your
town
who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have
any
presents to give or receive. If you do not know them (and I suspect you
don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the church, the
Salvation
Army or some other charity which believes in Me & they will make
the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and
loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret
that
you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you
are one of mine.

Finally do not forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me
&
do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest.

Check out the list above & get to work; time is short. I have promised
to
help you.

And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and
remember, I LOVE YOU!

----->
>> Ruth went to her mail box and there was only one letter.
>>
>> She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but  then she looked
>> at the envelope again.
>>
>> There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and  address.
>>
>> She read the letter:
>>
>> Dear Ruth:
>>
>> I`m going to be in your neighborhood Saturday
>> afternoon and I'd like to stop by for a visit.
>>
>> Love  Always,
>> Jesus
>>
>> Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table.
>>
>> "Why would the Lord want to visit me?"
>> I'm nobody special.
>> I don't have anything to offer."
>>
>> With that thought, Ruth
>> remembered her empty kitchen cabinets.
>>
>> "Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer.
>> I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner."
>>
>> She reached for her purse and counted out its  contents. Five dollars
>> and forty cents.
>>
>> Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least."
>>
>> She threw on her coat and hurried out the door.
>>
>> A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced
>> turkey, and a carton of milk...leaving Ruth with
>> grand total twelve cents to last her until Monday.
>>
>> Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home,
>> her  meager offerings tucked under her arm.
>>
>> "Hey lady, can you help us,lady?"
>>
>> Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans,
>> she  hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway.
>>
>> A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags.
>>
>> "Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife
>> and I have been living out here on the street,
>> and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting
>> kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us Lady, we'd
>> really appreciate it."
>>
>> Ruth looked at them both.
>>
>> They were dirty, they smelled bad and frankly,
>> she  was certain that they could get some kind of work
>> if  they really wanted to.
>>
>> "Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself.
>>
>> All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and
>> I'm  having an important guest for dinner tonight and
>> I was  planning on serving that to Him."
>>
>> "Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway."
>>
>> The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders,
>> turned and headed back into the alley.
>>
>> As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar
>> twinge in her heart.
>>
>> "Sir, wait!
>>
>> The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them.
>>
>> "Look, why don't you take this food.
>> I'll figure out something else to serve my guest.
>>
>> She handed the man her grocery bag.
>>
>> "Thank you lady. Thank you very much!"
>>
>> "Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Ruth
>> could see now that she was shivering.
>>
>> "You know, I've got another coat at home.
>>
>> Here, why don't you take this one."
>>
>> Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over
>> the  woman's shoulders.
>>
>> Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the
>> street...without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.
>>
>> "Thank you lady!
>>
>> Thank you very much!"
>>
>> Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front  door, and worried
>> too.
>>
>> The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't  have anything to offer Him.
>>
>> She fumbled through her purse for the door key.
>> But  as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox.
>>
>> "That's odd.
>> The mailman doesn't usually come twice  in one day."
>>
>>
>> Dear Ruth:
>> It was so good to see you again.
>> Thank you for the lovely meal.
>> And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.
>>
>> Love Always,
>> Jesus
>>
>> The air was still cold, but even without her coat,
>> Ruth no longer noticed.

The Storms of Life

Throughout your life, the rain will fall
Storms and tornadoes, hurricanes and squalls

The darkness so thick you can barely see
Weak and weary, you end up on your knees

Anxiety and despair your only friends
Day after day, never reaching an end

You reach that point of no return
With no going back, all your bridges burned

Take heart and listen, there is a way
To make it through your darkest of days

He's waiting for you, He's by your side,
He'll carry you through life's highest tides

So close your eyes, and speak to Him,
With God on your side, I promise, you'll win.

THE LORD IS GOOD AMEN, HE IS ALWAYS THERE ,WHEN YOUR AT YOUR LOWEST HE IS THERE ,WHEN YOUR AT YOUR HIGHEST HE IS THERE ,WHEN YOU CAN'T FEEL HIM HE IS THERE ,WHEN YOU ARE FEELING LONELY HE IS THERE,WHEN YOU AREN'T ALONE HE IS THERE,YOU CAN'T ESCAPE HIS PRESENCE, AND NOTHING CAN SEPERATE YOU FROM THE LOVE OF GOD OR HIS PRESENCE, HE IS TRUE TO HIS WORD , AND IF YOU READ HIS WORD ,YOU WILL KNOW HIS WILL FOR YOUR LIFE .

 WHEN MY DAD DIED HE LEFT A WILL . AND IF WE WOULDN'T HAVE OPENED IT ,WE WOULDN'T HAVE EVER KNOWN WHAT WAS IN IT ,SAME AS GOD'S WILL WE HAVE TO OPEN IT ,THEN OUR EYES WILL BE OPENED .AND THE DEVIL WILL TRY TO KEEP YOU FROM HIS WORD ,CAUSE HE KNOWS HOW POWERFUL IT IS ,JESUS HIMSELF PROVED TO THE DEVIL HOW POWERFUL IT REALLY  WAS ,HE USED THE WORD WHEN THE DEVIL TEMTED HIM ,SO HE KNOWS ,AND WILL DO EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO KEEP YOU OUT OF THAT WORD ,CAUSE IT IS MORE SHARPER THAN ANY TWO EDGED SWORD, READ IT ,IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE . IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE  (THE WORD) JESUS. READ JOHN CHAPTER 1