What’s Evil And What’s Good

It barely has been understood
that each of us hold inside
what’s evil and what’s good
it’s left to us to decide

After which we will follow
as the other we forsake
 and the reward may be hollow
based on the choice we make

There are angels assigned to guard
and protect us along the way
but our life will be hard
if with the demons we play

As Dr. Jekyll can only wait
for the coming of Mr. Hyde
I think that he must contemplate
how to retain his better side

When there’s evil and there’s good
that walks around us everywhere
to make the choices we should
will leave no time to spare

I pray that you will choose
the offer that God has made
for with Jesus you can’t lose
when the price He’s already paid!

 Teresa Marie  6/30/11

 

I want to thank  thepoetrypalace.com for the Perfect Poet Award from Week 50

I would like to nominate Kay Salady for the next award

A Powerful Performance And Message – Andrea Bocelli is Outstanding!

I thought yesterday’s e-mail made me cry, but this one from mom made the tears stream down my face the entire time.  Please, please pass it on and share it with as many as you think will appreciate it.  It is so very true and I know for a fact the power of prayer.  I see the evidence in and around me every day!

This just does not only apply to America it applies to all our Countries. So let the people of the nations pass this on themselves and join in the prayers for all countries!

  Andrea Bocelli-This is stunning

I think we desperately need this in Canada and Great Britan too.

SPEAKERS ON PLEASE.  This is so needed….What a lovely presentation, but more than that, what a challenge to each of us….we can make this a better nation…we can overcome that which has torn us apart, and is tearing us apart.  God will hear our prayers…Listening to Boccelli sing so beautifully, you could feel the joy of worship… Andrea Bocelli: If this doesn’t give you goose bumps or shivers don’t bother sending it on…  When the screen fills up with words, the words tumble to the bottom and new words start up again at the top of the screen. Very nice!    http://www.greatdanepro.com/Pray%20For%20America/index.htm

Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, now and forever.  Amen!

Always remember that Jesus died for us because He loves us!

In faith,
Teresa Marie

My Thursday Thoughts – The Meaning of Failure

Failure doesn’t mean that you are a failure; it does mean you haven’t yet succeeded. Failure doesn’t mean that you have accomplished nothing; it does mean you have learned something. Failure doesn’t mean that you have been a fool; it does mean you have a lot of faith. Failure doesn’t mean that you have been disgraced; it does mean you were willing to try. Failure doesn’t mean you don’t have it; it does mean you have to do something in a different way. Failure doesn’t mean you are inferior; it does mean you are not perfect. Failure doesn’t mean you’ve wasted your life;  it does mean you have a reason to start afresh. Failure doesn’t mean you should give up; it does mean you must try harder. Failure doesn’t mean you will never make it; it does mean it will take a little longer. Failure doesn’t mean God has abandoned you;   it does mean God has a better way. Unknown Continue to love each other with true brotherly love. Don’t forget to be kind to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Don’t forget about those in jail. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, for you know what they are going through. Hebrews 13:1-3 The Living Bible

This was my daily thought e-mail.  I don’t know of a single person who has not failed at least once in their life.  We have a tendency to blame our faults and failures on those around us because we don’t want to see it for what it is, “I failed at …”  It is much easier for us to deal with life when we can focus on the need of someone else to change their shortcomings rather than ourselves.Failure is, in the world we live, a four letter word. Instead of looking at it from the perspective of, “What will they think of me now?”, we should ask ourselves, “What can I learn from this?”  Of course that’s easier said than done!I look back, especially when they are in crisis, at my children and how I let them down in the past as a mother.  With the alcohol and drugs, I wasn’t there for them like I should have been.  But, as my eldest daughter said one day, I have a better relationship with them than most moms can say and they know that I’m just a phone call away any time they need me. The past mistakes and failures can either destroy or develop us, the choice is really ours alone.  When I ask God, “Why?!” these days, I try my best not to do it as a “woe is me” question.  I’d rather ask Him, “What lesson should I see in this?”  Doesn’t always work that way but we can only try harder. Always remember that Jesus died for us because He loves us. With an open heart and mind, Teresa Marie

Just In Time For The Fourth of July – I’m Still Crying

Mom e-mailed this to me last night and I just watched it a few minutes ago.  I’m still crying!  God bless America and all of her soldiers serving near or far! 

It began with this message:

God bless you. Lizzy Palmer, I hope your service member came home safely. Thank you so much for such a heartfelt tribute!

Subject: This belongs in the email Hall of Fame     A 15 year old girl made this.   This puts to shame the output of a number of Hollywood producers and/or directors. All I can say is WOW!!!!!!! This film was made by a 15 year old girl. It is the hottest thing on the internet and on Fox News today. Lizzie Palmer who put this YouTubeprogram together, is 15 years old. There have been over 3,000,000 hits as of this morning. In case you missed it, here it is.   Watch all of it…….and, pass it on!!   http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1

A Few Chuckles For Your Day – Why Go To Church?

This e-mail came from my brother and I would have to say that I got more than one chuckle out of it!  Hope you enjoy them too.

Why Go To Church?

One Sunday morning, a mother went in to wake her son and tell him it was time to get ready for church, to which he replied, “I’m not going.” 
“Why not?” she asked.  
I’ll give you two good reasons,” he said. “(1), they don’t like me, and (2), I don’t like them.”  
His mother replied, “I’ll give you two good reasons why you SHOULD go to church: 
(1) You’re 49 years old, and (2) you’re the pastor!”

                        
  The Picnic

A Jewish Rabbi and a Catholic Priest met at the town’s annual 4th of July picnic.  Old friends, they began their usual banter. 
“This baked ham is really delicious,” the priest teased the rabbi. “You really ought to try it. I know it’s against your religion, but I can’t understand why such a wonderful food

should be forbidden! You don’t know what you’re missing. You just haven’t lived until you’ve tried Mrs. Hall’s prized Virginia Baked Ham. Tell me, Rabbi, when are you going

to break down and try it?” 
The rabbi looked at the priest with a big grin, and said, “At your wedding.”

 
The Usher

An elderly woman walked into the local country church. The friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps.  
“Where would you like to sit?” he asked politely. 
“The front row, please,” she answered.. 
“You really don’t want to do that,” the usher said. “The pastor is really boring.” 
“Do you happen to know who I am?” the woman inquired. 
“No,” he said. 
“I’m the pastor’s mother,” she replied indignantly. 
“Do you know who I am?” he asked. 
“No,” she said. 
“Good,” he answered.

Show and Tell (My favorite)

A kindergarten teacher gave her class a “show and tell” assignment.  Each student was instructed to bring in an object that represented their religion to share with the class.
The first student got up in front of the class and said, “My name is Benjamin and I am Jewish and this is a Star of David .” 
The second student got up in front of the class and said, “My name is Mary. I’m a Catholic and this is a Rosary.” 
The third student got in up front of the class and said, “My name is Tommy. I am Baptist, and this is a casserole.”

 

The Best Way to Pray

A priest, a minister and a guru sat discussing the best positions for prayer, while a telephone repairman worked nearby 
“Kneeling is definitely the best way to pray,” the priest said. 
“No,” said the minister. “I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven.” 
“You’re both wrong,” the guru said. “The most effective prayer position is lying down on the floor.” 
The repairman could contain himself no longer. “Hey, fellas,” he interrupted. “The best prayin’ I ever did was when I was hangin’ upside down from a telephone pole.”

The Twenty and the One 
A well-worn one-dollar bill and a similarly distressed twenty-dollar bill arrived at a Federal Reserve Bank to be retired 
As they moved along the conveyor belt to be burned, they struck up a conversation.  
The twenty-dollar bill reminisced about its travels all over the country. 
“I’ve had a pretty good life,” the twenty proclaimed… “Why I’ve been to Las Vegas and Atlantic City , the finest restaurants in New York , performances on Broadway, and even a cruise to the Caribbean     ….” 
“Wow!” said the one-dollar bill. “You’ve really had an exciting life!” 
“So, tell me,” says the twenty, “where have you been throughout your lifetime?” 
The one dollar bill replies, “Oh, I’ve been to the MethodistChurch , the Presbyterian church, the BaptistChurch , the LutheranChurch     …” 
The twenty-dollar bill interrupts, “What’s a church?”

Goat for Dinner The young couple invited their elderly pastor for Sunday dinner.  While they were in the kitchen preparing the meal, the minister asked their son what they were having. 
“Goat,” the little boy replied. 
“Goat?” replied the startled man of the cloth, “Are you sure about that?” 
“Yep,” said the youngster. “I heard Dad say to Mom, ‘Today is just as good as any to have the old goat for dinner.’ “

Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.

 

It’s When You’re Content

For it’s when you’re content
in this life to simply be
as what was God‘s intent
when first He fashioned thee

From who you truly are
to how yourself you see 
let not the ‘tween be far
with no room for the enemy

You need not ever compare
nor even try to compete
for in His love you share
what the devil cannot defeat

In this you gain power
 more than what you’d expect
with confidence you won’t cower
and others will gain respect

Everything comes from the Father
the One Who created you
in His love you won’t bother
over what others say about you!

Teresa Marie  6/29/11

 

What’s On Your List?

Dear GOD:
I want to thank You for what you have already done.  I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves;
I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet;
I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job;
I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief;
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed;
I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.
I am thanking you because I made it through the day’s difficulties.
I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles…
I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.
I’m thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven’t given up on me.

Unknown

---

Yea, our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.

Psalm 33:21
The Revised Standard Version

This was my daily thoughts e-mail for today.  Anyone who has been reading this blog already knows the multitude of things that I am thankful for.  Take a couple of minutes today and make your own list.  You might be surprised at what you come up with.

Always remember that Jesus died for us because He loves us!

With a heart of gratitude,
Teresa Marie

Related articles

• Lord, I Want to Honor Your With My Thankfulness – Psalms 50:23 (dianneguthmuller.com)
• Thoughts on Thankfulness: Part 1 (dankasworld.wordpress.com)
• A Thankful Attitude (ewertondecastro.wordpress.com)

You Are, Oh Lord!

Oh, my Lord, You are
the wind beneath my wings
Your breath does carry me far
with the  song of Life it sings

Oh, my Lord, You are
the very Water that Lives
and death from us will bar
with the salvation it gives

Oh, my Lord, You are
the Bread of Life we eat
in ”whatsoever state we are”
only You will our hunger defeat

Oh, my Lord, You are
the blood that is my wine
poured into this bodily jar
as my portion of the Divine

Oh, my Lord, You are
the path on which I walk
my Light and Shining Star
with Whom I daily talk

Oh, my Lord, You are
loved with all my heart
whether You’re near or far
You own it parcel and part!

Teresa Marie   6/26/11

Today’s Sermon From The Ranch – Giving Thanks

 

(This Day’s Thought is pleased to bring you Eric Elder’s new series of sermons on the book of Romans.  Please note this is the last week Eric will be offering the CD, “Hymns,” for a donation of any size to The Ranch ministry this month.  Please see his note in the P.S. for details.) 

 

Giving Thanks

Lesson 3 from
Romans: Lessons In Renewing Your Mind
By Eric Elder
www.theranch.org
 

 

One of the quickest ways to get a new perspective on life is by giving thanks—by taking a few minutes to thank God for the things in your life for which you are truly grateful.  But giving thanks to God doesn’t always come naturally.  

 

You can sometimes get so caught up in the heat of the battles you’re facing that all of your thoughts, prayers, and attention are focused on the battles themselves.  And when you get so consumed by the battles that you stop giving thanks for the rest of the good things in life, you can start down a path that leads to destruction.

 

I’ve heard it said that “rebellion against God doesn’t begin with a clenched fist, but with a heart that refuses to give thanks.”

 

When we stop giving thanks for the things in our lives that are good and meaningful to us, we can oftentimes find ourselves slipping into anger and frustration with the world and the God who created it.  Our fists begin to clench and we start to rebel against anything further that He might have to say to us, or that He might want us to do.

 

The Apostle Paul attributed this refusal to give thanks as the beginning of the end for the people of Rome who were engaging in all kinds of evil.  He said:

 

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness… For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:18, 21).

 

If it feels like your thinking has become futile and your heart seems to have darkened, perhaps it’s time to reverse that cycle and begin giving thanks.  

 

In her book, The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom tells the story of a time when she and her sister were in a concentration camp in Germany during the Holocaust.  When they were thrown into a bunkhouse that was infected with fleas, her sister remembered that they needed to give thanks in all circumstances—even for the fleas.   But Corrie said this was too much.  She said, “There’s no way even God can make me grateful for a flea.”

 

As the weeks went on, however, she discovered that they had a unusual amount of freedom in their barracks to read to each other from a Bible they had hidden, and to pray with one another.  One day they discovered why, when Betsy overheard the guards say that they wouldn’t step into their barrack.  Why not?  Because of the fleas!  “That place is crawling with fleas!” the guard said.  It was then that Corrie remembered her sister’s prayers when they first entered, and her thanks to God for creatures for which Corrie could see no use at the time.  

 

The movie, Fireproof, tells the story of a fireman whose wife wants out of the marriage.  She’s fed up with him, and he’s equally fed up with her.  But as they head towards divorce, the fireman’s father steps in and challenges his son to try something he calls, “The Love Dare,” for forty days.  He hands his son a hand-written journal in which he’s written specific steps the son can take each day to try to show his love to his wife.

 

After 20 frustrating days of trying to do it on his own, the fireman has a heartfelt conversation with his dad.  His dad encourages him to put His faith in Christ and ask God for His help, but the son refuses, saying he doesn’t need a crutch to get through life.  The Dad responds by saying that Jesus is more than a crutch—He’s become the most significant part of his life.  The son still doesn’t get it, so the conversation continues:

 

DAD:  “If I ask you why you’re so frustrated with Catherine, what would you say?”

 

SON:  “She’s stubborn.  She makes everything difficult for me.  She’s ungrateful.  She’s constantly griping about something.”

 

DAD:  “Has she thanked you the last 20 days?”

 

SON:  “No.  And you’d think after I washed the car, I’ve changed the oil, do the dishes, clean the house, that she would try to show me a little bit of gratitude.  Well, she doesn’t.  That is what really ticks me off.  Dad, for the last three weeks, I have bent over backwards for her.  I have tried to demonstrate that I still care about this relationship.  I bought her flowers, which she threw away.  I have taken her insults and her sarcasm, but last night was it.  I made dinner for her, I did everything I could to demonstrate that I care about her, to show value for her, and she spat in my face.  She does not deserve this, Dad.  I am not doing it anymore.  How am I supposed to show love to somebody over and over and over who constantly rejects me?”

 

DAD:  “That’s a good question.”

 

SON: (after a long pause) “Dad, that is not what I’m doing.”

 

DAD:  “Isn’t it?  Son, you just asked me: ‘’How can someone show love over and over again when they’re constantly rejected?  You can’t love her, because you can’t give her what you don’t have.”

 

You’ll have to see the movie to find out how it ends!  But the Dad made his point:  What does it feel like to God, when He shows His love to us over and over and over again, yet we refuse to, or forget to, or get so overwhelmed with life that we no longer want to give Him thanks?

 

For me, I keep a prayer journal handy and try to write in it at least every few days.  I used to begin by writing down all the prayers that were on my heart, which felt good to get them down on paper.  But I began to realize that I wasn’t taking as much time to stop and give thanks to God for all the prayers that He had already answered.

 

I changed my approach several years ago and began starting every entry with the words, “Father, thank you for…” and then listing something for which I was sincerely thankful, something specific that had happened in the past day or two, or even those things that were particularly hard or challenging, trying to see them from God’s perspective and how God might be using them for good.

 

I’ve found that as I start my prayer time with thanks, it changes my perspective on the way I approach the rest of my time in prayer.  I have more expectancy, more eagerness to see how God might answer my prayers, and more hope that God can bring good out of even the bad things that I might be facing.  

 

Rather than waiting to see how things turn out before I thank God for the things in my life, I’ve found it much better to thank Him up front.

 

I remember eating an incredible fish dinner up in Boise, Idaho one time on a business trip.  Our hosts had taken us out to a fancy restaurant, and I’m sure it was the best fish I had ever eaten.  After the meal, when the waitress came to our table to ask how everything was, I could hardly contain myself in thanking her for the great meal.  

 

But as I was thanking her, I realized that she didn’t cook the fish, she just brought it to the table, so I asked her to please give my thanks to the chef.  But as she walked away, I realized that the chef didn’t make the fish, he just prepared it.  The one I really needed to thank was God who created the fish!  So I said a heartfelt prayer in my head before we got up from the table, saying, “Thank You, Lord, for this food!”

 

It was then that it hit me.  Wasn’t that the same prayer I said before I ate it:  “Thank You Lord, for this food”?  But somehow it meant so much more to me after I had eaten it!  I made a mental note that the next time I prayed before a meal, I’d try to make it just as heartfelt before I ate it.

 

I also found that this is what Jesus did, before His meal with over 5,000 on the hillside in Galilee, when all He had was two loaves of bread and five pieces of fish.  

 

“Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over” (Matthew 14:19b-21).

 

Jesus could have waited till the end of the meal to give thanks for His Father’s incredible provision, but He didn’t.  He gave thanks up front, and His Father took His prayer of thanks and Super-sized their meal right in front of their eyes!

 

You don’t have to wait to give thanks to God till you see the answers to your prayers.  Give thanks to Him up front for what you have been given, and trust Him to take the next step.  

 

The Romans, because of their refusal to give thanks to God, found that their thinking had become futile and their hearts were darkened.  If you want your thoughts to be more purposeful and your hearts to become brighter, do what Paul recommends:  begin by giving thanks to God.

 

Come to the Father today with your prayers.  Come to Him with thanksgiving in your heart.  Thank Him for those things in your life for which you’re truly grateful.  Thank Him for those things—even fleas—that may be hard to give thanks for right now, but which God can use for good.  And thank Him for the answers to your prayers that haven’t even come yet, but by faith you believe will come in a way that goes beyond all you can ask or imagine.  

 

Let God renew your mind today by giving thanks to Him.

 

Will you pray with me?

 

Father, thank You for the answers to so many prayers that we have prayed in the past.  Thank You for those things which we’re struggling through today, for as hard as they may seem, we trust that You can work all things for good, for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.  And Thank You in advance for the answers to prayer that are yet to come.  We trust that You can supersize those answers in just the right way and at just the right time.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

P.S. This is the last week we’ll be offering Marilyn Byrnes’ beautiful piano CD called, Hymns, for a donation of any size to our ministry.  If you’d like to take advantage of this offer, just click the link below to make a donation by the end of the month and get the music.  It’s available on CD or downloadable MP3’s, and is a great selection of eleven hymns of faith to bless you in your quiet times with God.  Just click the link below to make a donation and get the music:

Get A CD!

 

Questions for Reflection

1.  Read Romans 1:18-32.  What did Paul say happened to the thinking of those who refused to give glory and thanks to God?

2.  Why do you think that caused them to fall into some of the sins listed in this passage?

3.  According to verse 32, what is the ultimate outcome for those who head down this path?

4.  What are some things in your life for which you can truly give thanks to God?
 

To read more from this series, please visit:

Romans: Lessons In Renewing Your Mind

 

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What Else Can I Ever Say

What else can I ever say
except your love’s like a melody
which through my heart does play
to be etched there for eternity

What else can I ever say
except that I’ll always love you
and promise I will every day
tell you how much I do

What else can ever I say
except that all through my life
when I had lost my way
there was great sorrow and strife

What else can I ever say
except that you have saved me
from falling into an utter decay
and that you’ve set me free

What else can I ever say
except that you’ve always been there
when my edges did tatter and fray
you proved how deeply you care

What else can I ever say
except for when this life is through
together we’ll go home to stay
with the Father that gave me you!

Teresa Marie   6/25/11