Do Your Best - Leave the Rest

One of the problems that assail us all is worrying about tomorrow and what might be.

The Bible advises us to not have anxious thoughts about tomorrow and the things we cannot change (Luke:12:22-26 [22]And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.[23]The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.[24]Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?[25]And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? [26]If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?).

We realize that worrying does not make things better and only adds an additional load to our lives. However, that does not mean we can forget about the things to come. We are expected to do the best that we can in every circumstance.

It is a blessing to know that once you have truly done your best, you can leave the rest and not worry about it. Knowing that we have tried with all of our might is the comfort we seek. There are events and things in life that we cannot change. When we have done all there is to do, we need to let go and let God take care of the rest for us. That is our comfort and strength. It may take some practice, but once you know your efforts were complete, letting go of the worry is a blessing.

source: http://www.ucg.org/this-is-the-way/



what a MIRACLE!!! Ü

I was about to let go of the things that I get used to -- the things that are not meant for me...... because I’m sure, it makes me cry and depressed!

I fasted one day to help me let go and decide to start a new life... the Sabbath day came and forget all the worries that I have... and thankful to God for all the lessons that I learned in that day.

After the Sabbath, I worried again and prayed that hopefully, I will not worry and accept the things that were not meant for me, after a while, I just received a phone call from my Mom... Telling me good news ... said that, I will still be working and is able to serve God full-time in the office... I was shocked and surprised! How merciful our God is... happy to hear the news and wanted to dance a ‘Dance of Joy’ that time... happy that God was and is really there to help us in good times and in tough times. Considered it’s a miracle...

I really thank God for all these things. I could not afford to lose God in my heart...

In our life, sometimes, we get through difficult situations... and then, there we realized how challenging our life if we have that trials to overcome with... and we should be thankful for that also, trials teaches us lessons...

I really believe in this quote: “God without men is still a God, but Men without God, is NOTHING!” so therefore, let’s learn to love God with all our hearts... and focus to Him wholeheartedly...

Keep the Faith, God will Provide. Ü

Early this morning, I was about to go to work, I am alarmed by this line inside the Jeep.

I thought to myself and said with a smile, "Thank you God for the reminder..."

Oh yeah! God will really provide everything. Worry NOT! Be HAPPY! 

Live Life Over

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa fade.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass blemish.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love yous"... more "I'm sorrys"...but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it...live it...and never give it back.

----------------------------

In memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer. "Be courageous and bold. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did."

5 Tips to Get a Happy Life

• Stay healthy. Health is possibly the greatest asset one can possibly possess. No creature on this planet can be happy if is not healthy. So the primary concern of all of us should be to become and stay healthy. What does this include ? Well, use the body the way it was designed to – for motion. Spend some time walking, exercising, cleaning the home or whatsoever – just do not stay in one position for a long time. You can also eat various type of food – only thinking of it will make you feel better, besides the benefits for the body. Finally, try to avoid stress – long-term stressful situations can lead to illnesses.

• Smile. Positive attitude automatically contributes towards better mood – good mood is crucial for being happy. Even when you find yourself to be apathy, don’t forget that you can at least smile, it’s free and thus it makes people around you feel your inner harmony.

• Save money. Strange enough, but saving money can indeed bring you happiness. Human beings feel enjoyment as they gain some kind of “value”. Storing money for some period can cause this positive feeling of having something achieved – thus you will gain the possibility to reach some of your lifetime goals and dreams.

• Find a good company. Have you noticed how different people have different impact on us? Well, considering that each of us can choose the people to hang with (unlike family members), one should make conscious effort to choose only those people who cause positive thinking – and love them honestly.

• Do a good deed regularly. Yes, I know that people sometimes tend to be self-centric, but it is a special delight when you accomplish something for someone else – be it helping your family, coworkers or even strangers on the street.  You will feel that affection inside, when the other person expresses the appreciation  for your goodness.

[[[ These tips are according to gethappylife.com website.

I just want to attach: Try to pray faithfully to God regularly and you will be happier. ]]]

Sometime by May Riley Smith

Sometime, when all life’s lessons have been learned,
And sun and stars forevermore have set,
The things which our weak judgements here have spurned,
The things so’er which we grieved with lashes wet,
Will flash before us out of life’s dark night,
As stars shine most in deeper tints of blue;
And we shall see how all God’s plans are right,
And how what seemed reproof was love most true.

And we shall see how, while we frown and sigh,
God’s plans go on as best for you and me;
How, when we called, He heeded not our cry,
Because His wisdom to the end could see.
And e’en as prudent parents disallow,
Too much of sweet to craving babyhood,
So God, perhaps, is keeping from us now
Life’s sweetest things, because it seemeth good.

And if, sometimes, commingled with life’s wine,
We find the wormwood, and rebel and shrink,
Be sure a wiser hand than yours or mine,
Pours out the potion for our lips to drink;
And if some friend you love is lying low,
Where human kisses cannot reach his face,
Oh, do not blame the loving Father so,
But wear your sorrow with obedient grace!

And you shall shortly know that lengthened breath
Is not the sweetest gift God sends His friends,
And that, sometimes, the sable pull of death
Conceals the fairest boon His love can send;
If we could push ajar the gates of life,
And stand within, and all God’s workings see,
We could interpret all this doubt and strife,
And for each mystery could find a key.

But not today. Then be content, poor heart;
God’s plans, like lilies pure and white, unfold;
We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart,—
Time will reveal the chalices of gold.
And if, through patient toil, we reach the land
Where tired feet, with sandals loosed, may rest,
When we shall clearly see and understand,
I think we will say, God knew the best.”

-May Riley Smith-

A Letter To God

Funny story about a an old lady who has no money

A man worked in a post office. His job was to process all mail that  had illegible addresses. One day a letter came to his desk, addressed in shaky handwriting to God. He thought, "I better open  this one and see what it's all about."
So he opened it and it read:  "Dear God, I am a 83 year old widow living on a very small  pension. Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had a hundred dollars  in it which was all the money I had until my next pension check."

"Next Sunday is Mother's Day, and I had invited my last two friends  over for dinner. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food  with." "I have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope. Can  you please help me?" The postal worker was touched, and went around  showing the letter to all the others. Each of them dug into his  wallet and came up with a few dollars. By the time he made the  rounds, he had collected 96 dollars, which they put into an envelope  and sent over to her.

The rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of  the nice thing they had done. Mother's Day came and went, and a few  days later came another letter from the old lady to God. All the  workers gathered around while the letter was opened. It read,  "Dear God, How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me?"  "Because of your generosity, I was able to fix a lovely dinner for  my friends. We had a very nice day, and I told my friends of  your wonderful gift. " "By the way, there was 4 dollars missing. It  was no doubt those thieving bastards at the post office!!!!!!

A WOMAN'S QUESTION by Lena Lathrop

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the hand above?
A woman's heart, and a woman's life--
And a woman's wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy?
Demanding what others have died to win
With the reckless dash of a boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out,
Manlike, you have questioned me.
Now stand at the bars of my woman's soul
Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart be as true as God's stars
And as pure as His heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef,
I require a far greater thing;
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts---
I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called Home,
And a man that his Maker, God,
Shall look upon as he did on the first
And say: "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose may fade
From this soft young cheeck one day;
Will you love me then, 'mid the falling leaves
As you did 'mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and true,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give this all, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook
You can hire and little to pay;
But a woman's heart and a woman's life
Are not to be won that way.



***Lena Lathrop

Online date???

Question: Is it wrong and sin to talk to or "online date" with someone that is not a member of our church? I am really confused about dating people who are not members. I know that we should date people within our church, but I want to know more about this.

Answer: Your specific question asks whether it is wrong to chat or "online date" with someone who is not a member of our church. While it is not wrong to "chat" with people via the Internet, such contact with others—particularly people we do not know—is usually not advisable. While we might get advice from a Web site on a particular subject, striking up blind "relationships" online can be very risky and ill-advised. There are just some things we cannot know about people and their intentions when all we do is read written text from them.

As for dating someone outside of the United Church of God, you should seek and follow the advice and direction of your parents. Fundamentally, the Church teaches that people should marry in the faith, and as such, their dating (when they are old enough to do so) should ideally be with other people of like-mind, spiritually.

Often, young people will get interested in someone of the opposite sex who does not share their religious beliefs and will claim "we're just friends." Yet, that is usually the first step to a more serious relationship. As such, we feel that the admonition and principle explained by the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:14 applies to this situation: "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?"

Of course, there is much more to the subject of dating that should be considered by a young person.




http://www.verticalthought.org/qa/dating.htm

Friendship Quiz

Friends are a great blessing and a major part of life. Friendships are not only fun, they help give us the support and companionship God made us to need.
But they can also be a pain and give us some of the biggest challenges of life.
What kind of friend are you? What can you do to be a better friend and to help build better friendships? This quiz can help you gauge your current FQ (friendship quotient) and reinforce some of the keys to better friendships.

The Quiz

1. This quiz is going to solve all your friendship problems and make you the most popular person in your school or perhaps the universe.


a) Yes, what else would I expect from such an excellent publication?
b) Sounds like a little bit much to ask of small quiz. I think it's just for fun.
c) This is stupid, but I'll look at one more question to give it another chance.




2. A friend tells you that he or she has two tickets to a great game or concert, but you promised another friend you'd help with a litter cleanup drive that day.


a) You accept the great offer and start trying to figure out what to tell your other friend. Surely he or she will understand?
b) Decline the offer since you already promised your other friend.
c) Ask if you can get back to him or her later after you check with your other friend about possibly rescheduling.




3. Someone in your group of friends starts talking behind your back—saying mean things about you.


a) Forget about that “friend” (with friends like that, who needs enemies?), but be doubly sure you don't let your true friends down.
b) See if you can talk to the person in private to find out if you did anything to offend him or her.
c) Warn your other friends about what the person is doing and encourage them to avoid the person, but avoid the temptation to spread bad things you know about him or her.




4. You move to a new school and you don't know anyone!


a) If someone acts friendly, take it as a sign you've just met your new best friend.
b) Be friendly to everybody—you never know who your new best friends will be.
c) Try to make as many friends as possible, and don't be in too much of a rush to make a best friend. 
Sometimes it's good to really get to know people before choosing who to spend the most time with.




5. When your friends are trying to decide what activity to do, you:


a) Quickly throw in your idea and explain the advantages.
b) Wait to hear everyone else's ideas before seconding one or suggesting a compromise.
c) Worry that they'll suggest something your parents don't want you to do.
d) Remind everyone it's your turn to pick (even if not everyone likes your idea).




6. One of your friends seems to be upset and talks about doing something wrong.


a) You tell him or her to stop talking crazy and come do something fun.
b) Don't say anything and wait till it blows over.
c) Let the person know you're there to talk about it if he or she wants to.
d) If it is a serious matter, talk to your parents or another adult about it.




7. It is most important that a friend:

a) Be loyal.
b) Be giving.
c) Be encouraging/supportive.
d) Be patient.
e) Not be rude.
f) Be humorous.
g) Be understanding.
h) Have similar values and interests.
i) All of the above.
j) Other _________________________.



Friendship



Scoring

Don't you hate those artificial quizzes that only have one obvious right answer? Since we don't know you or your friends, more than one answer could work on some of these, depending on the personalities and interactions of your group of friends. And you could probably come up with better answers! But here are a couple things to think about:


1.
a) Thanks for the compliment, but you're scaring us!
b) We hope it's fun.
c) We appreciate your honesty and giving us another chance.


2.
a) Are you sure he or she will understand?
b) Your loyalty is to be commended.
c) It could be worth a try.


3.
a) Seems like there's a mystery here—it might be good to know why before giving up on your friend.
b) Check out Matthew 5:23-24 and 18:15.
c) The temptation will be great!


4.
a) Might be, but life's not always that simple.
b) Good point.
c) Though rarely practiced, there's something to be said for choosing your closest friends (see Proverbs 12:26 and 13:20).


5.
a) Take me to your leader.
b) Peacemaker, anyone?
c) Sometimes the worry is justified—but is there some way you can head it off? See a and b.
d) Fairness takes some finesse to ensure everyone has fun.


6.
a) Depending on the person's personality and the type of problem, this could help snap them out of it.
b) Some problems do get better with a good night's sleep.
c) We all need good friends like you!
d) Getting help to keep your friend safe is more important than possibly making him or her upset at you.


7. We like all of them!