Messages

1. Wake Up !!
Decide to have a good day.
"Today is the day the Lord hath made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it."
[Psalms 118:24]

Take a walk, life is waiting for you.

 2. Dress Up !!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your
looks.
"The Lord does not look at the things man
looks at.
Man looks at outward appearance;
but the Lord looks at the heart."
[I Samuel 16:7]

Lake McDonald, Glacier Park MT, Cool Spring Day

3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen.
God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He
must have meant for us to do twice as much
listening as talking.
 "He who guards his lips guards his soul."
[Proverbs 13:3]

Lake McDonald beginning to thaw.

4. Stand Up!!...
For what you believe in.
Stand for something or you will fall for
anything..
"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the
proper time,
we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do
good..."
[Galatians 6:9-10]
 McDonald Creek on the perfect day.

5. Look Up !!...
To the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who
strengthens me."
[Philippians 4:13]
 The gentle setting of life at its best.

6. Reach Up !!...
For something higher.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not unto your own understanding.
In all your ways, acknowledge Him,
and He will direct your path."
[Proverbs 3:5-6]
 Rush of spring in the Mountains

7. Lift Up !!...
Your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything;
instead PRAY ABOUT
EVERYTHING."
[Philippians 4:6]
 Serenity of the waters…
Of the creek that's lined with trees…
Is such a calming feeling…
And sets our mind at ease…

God's beauty is so prevalent…

Pine trees reaching high…
The waters softly ripple…
Mountain peaks reach to the sky…

The birds in the trees sing their songs…

Merrily chirping away…
As if they are trying to tell us…
It's the beginning of another day…

In awe of the surrounding beauty…

I sit on the shore and stare…
At all of the nature around me…
 On the ground and in the air…

I reflect on nature's beauty…

A tear glistens in my eye…
I say a thank you for blessings we have…
To our awesome God on high…
Poem by Jeannie Nourse

When I Say I am a Christian Poem

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I was lost"
That is why I chose this way.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I'm not trying to be strong.
 I'm professing that I'm weak
And pray for strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are all too visible,
But God believes I'm worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
Which is why I speak His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved.
 Take My Son

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in
their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the
great works of art. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was
very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier.

The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man
stood at the door .

Take My Son: An Inspirational-Story

This is an inspirational-story of a wealthy man and his son who both loved to collect rare
works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They
would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam conflict
broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing
another soldier.

The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man
stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but
I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he
was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He
often talked about you, and your love for art."

The young man held out this package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great
artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this." The father opened the
package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the
way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so
drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and
offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for
me. It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he
took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great
works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many
influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an
opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will
start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"

There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings.
Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who
will start the bidding? $100, $200?"

Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the
Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!" But still the auctioneer
continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the
man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could
afford.

"We have $10, who will bid $20?"

"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters."

"$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?" The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't
want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their
collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"

A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!" The
auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."

"What about the paintings?"

"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation
in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of
the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate,
including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His
message today is: "The son, the son, who'll take the son?" Because, you see, whoever
takes the Son gets everything.
Do what ever you like, but remember that maybe "one" of the people you might have
taken time to send this to, may be just the person who needs to hear this.
Triumph in Tragedy
By Mark Gillmore

Pastor Duane Scott Willis and his wife Janet dearly loved the nine children God had
given them. But mid-morning on November 8, 1994, a fiery auto explosion on I-94 in
Milwaukee claimed the lives of their six youngest. Within hours, the freak accident had
made national and international headlines. From behind guarded hospital doors came
good news concerning Scott and Janet: their physical recovery from first and second
degree burns would be complete. However, the most astonishing recovery became
apparent as Scott and Janet displayed their emotional and spiritual stability.

Milwaukee, the nation, --even the world looked on in amazement as eight days later the
bereaved couple explained to the media how they could make it through such a sudden
and horrific tragedy. The following statements are excerpts from that news conference.

"Psalm 34 says, ‘I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my
mouth. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.’ Janet and I want to praise and thank
God. There is no question in our minds that God is good, and we praise Him in all
things. God is a great God."

"As far as the accident is concerned, I was looking at the road and was alert. Our little
baby was behind us; Ben was behind us on the other side. In the back seat were the other
four children; they were all buckled in. I saw the object (a metal brace, 6" x 30", 30
lbs.). I thought it was one of those blocks that maybe came off one of those flat-bed
trucks. The car in front of me swerved, and I knew I couldn’t miss hitting the object. I
thought if I took it on the tire I might roll the car. It was a split-second decision.

"When we hit the object, the rear gas tank exploded, taking the car out of control. I was
able to grip the wheel and take the car out of the slide. When we were sliding and the
flames were coming around the seat, it was a shock—a surprise—like, ‘What is this?’ It
was just roaring flames coming up on both sides. I was yelling to get out of the car.
Janet and I had to consciously put our hands into the flames to unbuckle the seat belts and
reach for the door handles. Janet fell out the door while the car was still moving. Benny
was in the midst of the burning midst of the burning; his clothes were mostly burned off
by the time he got out. The five youngest children, who had been asleep, died instantly.
No sound was heard by Janet or me as we struggled to get out of the van. An unknown
man took his shirt off his back to soak Benny’s wounds,and another beat out the burning
clothes on Janet’s back. Benny died in intensive care around midnight."

"We believe children are an heritage of the Lord. We thank God for six precious
children-- four rascally boys, a sweet girl, so much like her mother, and a little baby, just
beginning to smile and grow. We understood that they were given of the Lord, and we
understood they weren’t ours. They were His, and we were stewards of those children.
And so God took them back. He is the Giver and Taker of life. We must tell you that we
hurt and sorrow as you parents would for your children. The depth of pain is
indescribable. The Bible expresses our feelings that we sorrow, but not as those without
hope."

"What gives us our firm foundation for our hope is the Bible. The truth of God’s Word
assures us that Ben, Joe, Sam, Hank, Elizabeth, and Peter are in Heaven with Jesus
Christ. We know, based upon the Word of God, where they are. Our strength rests in the
Word of God. The Bible is sure and gives us confidence. Everything God promises is
true."

"We thank God for His preparation for this trial. Janet became a Christian as a teenager
after reading a Gospel tract that somebody had handed her. On February 5, 1975, I
(Scott) trusted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. A man showed me that I was a sinner
—and I knew my own heart. Nobody had ever, ever in my life presented the Gospel to
me. I put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ; I believed that He died for my sins. I
became a Christian that day. Since then God has been working with us. He has prepared
us for this trial. We’re not special people. We’re sinners saved by grace. But we’re not
taking a short view of life; we take a long view of life, and that includes eternal life. We
realize that someday we’ll stand before the Lord, and the things that are here will matter
very little. God’s grace is sufficient for everybody."

Scott and Janet always speak directly concerning God’s Word and the issues of life.
Neither would hesitate to ask: Are you and your household prepared to handle the
certainty of death? God’s Word teaches that "it is appointed unto men once to die, but
after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). When you stand before the Lord God, what will
His decision be concerning you? Do you have absolute assurance that Heaven is your
eternal home? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior from the penalty
of your sins? If not, please read and believe the follow statements from God’s Word the
Bible, and accept Jesus Christ TODAY!

In God’s eyes we are all on the same level: "There is none righteous, no not one . . .
For all have sinned" (Romans 3:10, 23). We are all sinners deserving eternal judgment
in the lake of fire because "the wages of sin is death" (Revelation 20:15; 21:8; Romans
6:23).

However, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Eternal life
can be received only as a gift from God. It can never be earned, because "by grace are
ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, lest
any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Through the death and resurrection of Jesus,
God’s Son, God provided the only means for man’s salvation.

Eternal life is available to anyone! "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall
be saved" (Romans 10:13). Talk to God RIGHT NOW in prayer! Admit to Him your
need as a sinner and your trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. He will save you
NOW!

THE NEW SCHOOL PRAYER

Now I sit me down in school Where praying is against the rule For this great nation under
God Finds mention of Him very odd. If Scripture now the class recites, It violates the Bill
of Rights. And anytime my head I bow Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green, That's no offense; it's a freedom scene. The law
is specific, the law is precise. Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice. For praying in a
public hall Might offend someone with no faith at all. In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks, And pierce our noses tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible. To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen, And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King. It's
"inappropriate" to teach right from wrong, We're taught that such "judgments" do not
belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls, Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, It's scary here I must confess, When chaos
reigns the school's a mess. So, Lord, this silent plea I make: Should I be shot; My soul
please take!

Amen

If you aren't ashamed to do this, please follow the directions. Jesus said, " if you are
ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father." Not ashamed - Pass this on .
. only if you mean it.

Yes, I do Love God. He is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me functioning

each and everyday. Without Him, I will be nothing. Without him, I am nothing but with
Him I do all things through Christ that strengthens me. Phil 4:13 This is the simplest test .
. . if you Love God, and are not ashamed of all the marvelous things he has done for you.
Send this to ten people and the person who sent it to you!
prayer in school, school prayer, pro prayer in school

Thanksgiving Prayer

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl

when the alarm rings each morning, thank
you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many
who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes tightly closed

against the morning light as long as possible,
thank you Lord, that I can see. There are
many who are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off

the effort of rising, thank you, Lord that I
have the strength to rise. There are many
who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is

hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned,
and tempers are short, thank you, Lord, for
my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks

like the pictures in magazines and the menu
is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord for
the food we have. There're many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate

from day to day and wish my circumstances
were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for the
gift of life.
 Choices

Some people sit, some people try;

Some people laugh, some people cry;
Some people will, some people won't;
Some people do, some people don't.

Some people believe, and develop a plan;

Some people doubt, never think that they can;
Some people face hurdles and give it their best;
Some people back down when faced with a test.

Some people complain of their miserable lot;

Some people are thankful for all that they've got;
And when it’s all over, when it comes to an end;
Some people lose out, and some people win.

We all have a choice, we all have a say;

We are spectators in life, or we get in and play;
Whichever we choose, how we handle life’s game;
The choices are ours, no one else is to blame.