Teach Me To Forgive

(Longer story than normal, but worth it)

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job. His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered family that had passed on.
His mind turned to the illness he had that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment and frustration.

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there, and with tears in his eyes, he prayed "Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray that you teach me to do this one thing I cannot do - Teach me To Forgive.

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them. He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.

Have you ever told a lie, he asked?

The man answered - "yes, Lord."

Have you ever been given to much change and kept it?

The man answered "yes, Lord." And the man sobbed more and more.

Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours, Jesus asked?

And the man answered "yes, Lord."

Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?

The man, crying now, answered "yes, Lord."

As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"?

The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer "yes, Lord."

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.

Jesus said, I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you.

The Alphabet

Although things are not perfect

Because of trial or pain

Continue in thanksgiving

Do not begin to blame



Even when the times are hard

Fierce winds are bound to blow

God is forever able

Hold on to what you know



Imagine life without His love

Joy would cease to be

Keep thanking Him for all the things

Love imparts to thee



Move out of "Camp Complaining"

No weapon that is known

On earth can yield the power

Praise can do alone



Quit looking at the future

Redeem the time at hand

Start every day with worship

To "thank" is a command



Until we see Him coming

Victorious in the sky

We'll run the race with gratitude

X alting God most high



Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...

Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!



Richard D?Andrea Dover

Meaning.....................

Standing for what you believe in,

Regardless of the odds against you,

and the pressure that tears at your resistance,

...means courage



Keeping a smile on your face,

When inside you feel like dying,

For the sake of supporting others,

...means strength



Stopping at nothing,

And doing what's in your heart,

You know is right,

...means determination



Doing more than is expected,

To make another's life a little more bearable,

Without uttering a single complaint,

...means compassion



Helping a friend in need,

No matter the time or effort,

To the best of your ability,

...means loyalty



Giving more than you have,

And expecting nothing

But nothing in return,

...means selflessness



Holding your head high,

And being the best you know you can be

When life seems to fall apart at your feet,

Facing each difficulty with the confidence

That time will bring you better tomorrow's,

And never giving up,

...means confidence.

Why Women Cry

Why are you crying", a young boy asked his Mom.
"Because I'm a woman," she told him.

"I don't understand," he said.
His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will, but that's o.k."

Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does Mom seem to cry
for no reason?"
"All women cry for no reason", was all his Dad could say.

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women
cry. Finally he asked "God, why do women cry so easily?

GOD answered......
When I made woman, I decided she had to be special. I made her
shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world; yet,
made her arms gentle enough to give comfort...

I gave her the inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection
that many times will come even from her own children.

I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going and take care of
her family and friends, even when everyone else gives up, through
sickness and fatigue, without complaining...

I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all
circumstances. Even when her child has hurt her badly....

She has the very special power to make a child's boo-boo feel better
and to quell a teenager's anxieties and fears...

I gave her strength to care for her husband, despite faults and I
fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart...

I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife,
but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside
him unfalteringly....

For all of this hard work, I also gave her a tear to shed. It is hers
to use whenever needed and it is her only weakness....

When you see her cry, tell her how much you love her, and all she
does for everyone, and even though she may still cry, you will have made
her heart feel good.

She is special!