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23rd Psalm At Work

The Lord is my real Boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray before I speak.
Do all things without murmuring and complaining.
He reminds me that He is my Source and not my job.
He restores my sanity every day.
He guides my decisions that I may honor Him in everything I do.

Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic
deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping coworkers, discriminating supervisors,
and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I will not stop-for He is with me!
His presence, His peace and His power will see me through.

He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.
He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go.
His faithfulness and love are better than any bonus check,
His retirement plan beats every 401K there is!

When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer .
For that, I bless His Name.

Author Unknown

Happiness is something we create in our mind,
It's not something you search for and so seldom find.
It's just waking up and beginning the day
By counting our blessings and kneeling to pray.
It's giving up thoughts that breed discontent
And accepting what comes as a gift heaven-sent.
It's giving up wishing for things we have not.
And making the best of whatever we've got.
It's knowing that life is determined for us,
And pursuing our tasks without fret, fume, or fuss-
For it's by completing what God gives us to do
That we find real contentment and happiness, too.

Author Unknown

I will have confidence in myself and put my trust in God.

I will have courage for the big things and patience for the small things.

I will admit mistakes, learn forgiveness, and go on with the game.

I will not call myself a loser or a failure until I've failed to try.

I will set sound, worthy goals and work for them one day at a time and one play at a time.

I will do what I can and not worry about scoring, winning, and making the big plays, because just doing my best and playing fair is what really makes me a winner, both in life and on the playing field.

Author Unknown

God Forgive Me When I Whine

Today upon a bus I saw a lovely maiden
with golden hair;
I envied her, she seemed so happy,
and Oh, I wished I were so fair...
When, suddenly, she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle...
She had one foot and wore a crutch,
but as she passed, a smile...
Oh, God forgive me when I whine...
I have two feet...
the world is mine.

And when I stopped to buy some sweets,
the lad who served me had such charm;
He seemed to radiate such good cheer,
his manner was so kind and warm...
I said, "It's nice to deal with you,
such courtesy I seldom find."
He turned and said, "Oh, thank you sir!"
and then I saw that he was blind.

Oh, God forgive me when I whine...
I have two eyes...
the world is mine.
Then, walking down the street
I saw a child with eyes of blue...
He stood and watched the others play;
it seemed he knew not what to do...
I stopped a moment, then I said,
"Why don't you join the others dear?"
He looked ahead without a word...
and then I knew he could not hear...

Oh, God forgive me when I whine...
I have two ears...
the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I'd go,
with eyes to see the sunset glow,
with ears to hear what I should know ...
I'm blessed indeed ...
The world is mine...

Oh, God forgive me when I whine...

Author Unknown 

I Choose

It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of the solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so...

I CHOOSE LOVE...

No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY...

I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE...

I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE...

I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complaining that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS...

I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS...

I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS...

Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS...

Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL...

I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ.

LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF-CONTROL........

To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek God's face. And then when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Author Unknown

In The Hand Of God

There is a beautiful story about a child playing with a vase his mother had left on the table for a few moments. When the mother turned at the sound of her son crying she saw that his hand was in the vase and was apparently stuck. She tried to help him and pulled and pulled until the child cried out in pain. But the hand was stuck fast. How would they get it out? The father suggested breaking the vase but it was quite valuable and the child's hand might be cut in the process. Yet he knew that if all else failed there would be no other alternative.

So he said to the boy, "Now, let's make one more try. Open your hand and stretch your fingers out straight, like I'm doing, and then pull!" "But Dad," said the boy, "if I do that I'll lose my penny!"

The boy had had a coin in his hand all the time and was holding it securely in his tight little fist. And he wasn't prepared to open his hand and lose the penny. But once he opened his hand it came out of the vase easily.

What are you holding onto so tightly as to hinder your walk with Jesus?

That vase can be likened to the entrance to the Kingdom of God. It is narrow but quite easy to pass in, but first you must "open" your hand to God and allow earthly things to fall. If we keep our fists closed and hold fast to what we have and keep it for ourselves, we will be unable to take hold of the "Hand of God"!

We arrived with nothing and will depart the same way.

Jesus told the parable of the rich man who wanted to build bigger barns to store his grain and goods. But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' We need to be on guard, or the things we own will begin to own us. It is our own clenched fist that makes us a prisoner.

Open your hand to the hand of God.

Author Unknown

It's Up to You

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.

One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.

One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.

One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.

One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.

One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.

One life can make the difference,
You see, IT'S UP TO YOU!

Author Unknown

Judge Gently

Pray, don't find fault with the man that limps
Or stumbles along the road.
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt
Though hidden away from view.
Or the burden he bears placed on your back
Might cause you to stumble too.

Don't sneer at the man who's down today
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.

You may be strong but still the blows
That was his if dealt to you
In the selfsame way, at the selfsame time
Might cause you to stagger too.

Don't be too harsh with the man that sins
Or pelt him with word or stone
Unless you are sure - yea, doubly sure -
That you have no sins of your own.

For you know, perhaps,
If the tempter's voice should whisper as soft to you
As it did to him when he went astray
It might cause you to falter too.

Author Unknown

Meanings

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.

Author Unknown

One Day At A Time

Our lives are made up of a million moments,
spent in a million different ways.
Some are spent searching for
love, peace, and harmony.
Others are spent surviving day by day.

But there is no greater moment
than when we find that life,
with all it's joys and sorrows,
is meant to be lived one day at a time.
It's in this knowledge that we discover
the most wonderful truth of all.

Whether we live in a forty-room mansion,
surrounded by servants and wealth,
or find it a struggle to manage
the rent month to month,
we have it within our power to be fully
satisfied and live a life with true meaning.

One day at a time - we have that ability,
through cherishing each moment
and rejoicing in each dream.
We can experience each day anew,
and with this fresh start we have
what it takes to make all our dreams come true.
Each day is new, and living one day at a time
enables us to truly enjoy life and live it to the fullest.

Author Unknown

Remember These Words

Don't let go of hope.
Hope gives you the strength to keep
going when you feel like giving up.

Don't ever quit believing in yourself.
As long as you believe you can,
you will have a reason for trying.

Don't let anyone hold your
happiness in their hands;
hold it in yours, so it will always
be within you reach.

Don't measure success or failure by
material wealth, but by how you feel;
our feelings determine the richness
of our lives.

Don't let bad moments overcome you;
be patient, and they will pass.

Don't hesitate to reach out for help;
we all need it from time to time.

Don't run away from love but towards
love, because it is our deepest joy.

Don't wait for what you want to come to
you; go after it with all that you are,
knowing that life will meet you halfway.

Don't feel like you've lost when plans
and dreams fall short of your hopes.
Anytime you learn something new about
yourself or about life, you have progressed.

Don't do anything that takes away from
your self-respect; feeling good about
yourself is essential to feeling good
about life.

Don't ever forget how to laugh or be
too proud to cry.
It is by doing both that we live
life to its fullest.

Anonymous

The Park Bench

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read
Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.

Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent on dragging me down.

And if that weren't enough to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play.

He stood right before me with his head tilted down
And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"

In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or to little light.

Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and then shifted away.

But instead of retreating he sat next to my side
And placed the flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise,
"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too.
That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."

The weed before me was dying or dead.
Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red.

But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need."

But instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air without reason or plan.

It was then that I noticed for the very first time
That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.

I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun
You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.

I sat there and wondered how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.

Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.
And for all of those times I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every
second that's mine.

And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose

And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in his hand
About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.

Author Unknown

The Sculptor's Attitude

I woke up early today excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight.
I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important.
My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or...
I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or..
I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or...
I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or...
I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or...
I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or...
I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or...
I can shout for joy because I have a job to go to.

Today I can complain because I have to do housework or...
I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped.
And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.
What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!!!

Have a GREAT DAY... unless you have other plans.

Author Unknown

Today Poem

What I do today is very important because
I am exchanging a day of my life for it."

Outside my window, a new day I see,
And only I can determine what kind of day it will be.

It can be busy and sunny, laughing and gay,
Or boring and cold… unhappy and gray.

My own state of mind is the determining key,
For I am only the person I let myself be.

I can be thoughtful and do all I can to help,
Or be selfish and think just of myself.

I can enjoy what I do and make it seem fun,
Or gripe and complain and make it hard on someone.

I can be patient with those who may not understand,
Or belittle and hurt them as much as I can.

But I have faith in God and believe what He says,
And I personally intend to do His will this day.

Author unknown

Threw It Out

Last Week I threw out Worrying,
it was getting old and in the way.
It kept me from being me;
I couldn't do things my way.

I threw out those Inhibitions;
they were just crowding me out.
Made room for my New Growth,
got rid of my old dreams and doubts.

I threw out a book on MY PAST
(didn't have time to read it anyway).
Replaced it with New Goals,
started reading it today.

I threw out childhood toys
(remember how I treasured them so)?
Got me a NEW PHILOSOPHY too,
threw out the one from long ago.

Bought in some new books too,
called I CAN, I WILL, and I MUST.
Threw out I might, I think and I ought.
WOW, You should've seen the dust.

I ran across an OLD FRIEND,
haven't seen him in a while.
I believe his name is GOD,
Yes, I really like His style.

He helped me to do some cleaning
and added some thing's Himself.
Like PRAYER, HOPE and FAITH,
Yes I placed them right on the shelf.

I picked up this special thing
and placed it at the front door.
I FOUND IT - its called PEACE.
Nothing gets me down anymore.

Yes, I've got my house looking nice.
Looks good around the place.
For things like Worry and Trouble
there just isn't any place.

Its good to do a little house cleaning,
get rid of the old things on the shelf.
It sure makes things brighter;
maybe you should TRY IT YOURSELF.

Author Unknown

You Are Worthy

Do not undermine your worth by
Comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different
That each of us is special.

Do not set your goals by what
Other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.

Do not take for granted the things
Closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life,
for without them, life is meaningless.
Do not let your life slip through your fingers
By living in the past nor for the future.

By living your life one day at a time,
You live all the days of your life.
Do not give up when you
Still have something to give.
Nothing is really over until the
Moment you stop trying.
It is a fragile thread that
Binds us to each other.

Do not be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances
That we learn how to be brave.
Do not shut love out of your life by
Saying it is impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive
Love is to give love;
The fastest way to lose love
Is too hold it too tightly;

In addition, the best way to keep
Love is to give it wings.
Do not dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams
Is to be without hope;
To be without hope
Is to be without purpose.

Do not run through life
So fast that you forget
Not only where you have been,
But also where you are going.
Life is not a race,
But a journey to be savored
Each step of the way.

Author: Unknown

You are Jesus to Someone

YOUR LIFE is Jesus to someone,
though tattered and torn it may be.
Though often times weak and unstable,
you're all of God someone will see.
YOUR TONGUE is Jesus to someone.
That idle, insensitive word
reflects to at least one searching heart an idle, insensitive Lord.

YOUR GOALS are Jesus to someone.
What you put first, they believe,
are the goals of God for the Christian.
Your life is all they receive.

YOUR FAITHFULNESS ... that's Jesus to someone.
Their judgment of how God is true,
rests unquestionably in the faithfulness they see day by day in you.

YOUR LOVE is Jesus to someone--
that someone who is seeking to know
that Jesus will follow and guide and
befriend wherever in life they might go.

SO BEWARE lest others blaspheme
God by what you say or do,
for the only Jesus that someone knows
is the Jesus they see in you.

Author Unknown

We Have The Power of Choice

We can . . .

Choose to love–rather than hate.

Choose to smile–rather than frown.

Choose to build–rather than destroy.

Choose to persevere–rather than quit.

Choose to praise–rather than gossip.

Choose to heal–rather than wound.

Choose to give–rather than grasp.

Choose to act–rather than delay.

Choose to pray–rather than despair.

Choose to forgive–rather than curse.

Choose to praise & thank God for our blessings-rather than complain.

Each day brings a new opportunity to choose. What kind of choices will you make today?”

Author Unknown

What is Love?

Can you define it? Well, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 defines Love here…
Love is patient
Love is kind
It does not envy
It does not boast
It is not proud
It is not rude
It is not self-seeking
It is not easily angered
It keeps no record of wrongs
It does not delight in evil
It rejoices with the truth
It always protects
It always trusts
It always hopes
It always perseveres
Love NEVER FAILS

Author Unknown

WWJD?

Lord, throughout this day,
As I try to follow You,
Let this be my rule to live by:
What Would Jesus Do?

When a friend or loved one
Asks me for a moment or two,
May I think of one thing only:
What Would Jesus Do?

In all my dealings, help me
To be honest, fair and true,
To measure each decision by:
What Would Jesus Do?

When I'm feeling troubled
And I turn in prayer to You,
Give me wisdom to decide:
What Would Jesus Do?

And let me promise each new day
To live my whole life through,
In love and peace, remembering:
What Would Jesus Do?

Then when the day is ended,
May I resolve anew
To guide tomorrow by the motto:
What Would Jesus Do?

Author Unknown