Inspiration Shared By Lady Braids

Inspiration On 11/11/11

Dear Lord,
Today we honor our veterans,
worthy men and women
who gave their best
when they were called upon
to serve and protect their country.

We pray that you will bless them, Lord,
for their unselfish service
in the continual struggle
to preserve our freedoms, our safety,
and our country’s heritage, for all of us.

Bless them abundantly
for the hardships they faced,
for the sacrifices they made
for their many different contributions
to America’s victories
over tyranny and oppression.

We respect them, we thank them,
we honor them, we are proud of them,
and we pray that you will watch over
these special people
and bless them with peace and happiness.

In Jesus’ name we pray; Amen.

 -- Joanna Fuchs

Inspiration On 10/04/11

Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is to expect nothing,
to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done
against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and
when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home
in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel
to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of
calmness… when all around and above is trouble.

 -- Andrew Murray

Inspiration On 09/19/11

Imagine walking through a crowded airport. You cannot move without
bumping into someone. You're late for your flight, and the wheels just
broke on your over - packed suitcase.

With no other option, you're forced to carry the luggage and slowly
maneuver through the congested lobby toward the ticketing area. Almost
immediately, a young gentleman offers to carry your bags, but you
pridefully refuse. When you realize the ticket counter is two levels up,
you make your way to the stairs. Someone asks you if it would be
easier to take the elevator. But you are determined to carry your
bags.

As you finally make it to the top of the steps, your arms feel numb
from the pressure of your bags. Your legs are starting to buckle
from the weight. Your back is aching from supporting the heavy
load. Then, you spot a collection of unused baggage carts. But
you ignore them, self - assured that you can handle the bags yourself.

Isn't this a silly story? Who would prefer to carry such a heavy
burden, ignoring every opportunity to lay it down? And yet,
many believers do just that. Our Father has called us to lay our
cares at His feet. But when we fail to come to God in prayer,
we're just as foolish as the man staggering with his bags through
the airport.

Are you trying to carry a greater burden than you can bear? Don't
ignore God's offer to help. The truth is, we really can't "do it
ourselves," and God never wanted us to try.

 -- Dr Charles Stanley

Inspiration On 09/11/11

 

I've cried to God as I've beheld
The world wrapped up in fear
Of lack and death and war that looms
To snatch lives held so dear

I said, "My God!  Have you not heard
The newsmen on TV?
Do you not know the shape we're in?
Do you not care for me?"

"I'm scared, Dear Jesus!  Help us!  Please!
There's news of fear and war
And I'm afraid, Lord, I admit
Of what might be in store."

"Peace, be still, My child," He said
"And hear now what I say
For I have seen and heard the cries
Of those who, to Me, pray."

"Keep your eyes upon ME now
Not what you hear or see
And, as you do, you'll keep My peace -
IF your mind stays on ME!"

"It matters not what one man says
Or even many more
For I am God, and I decide
Each day what lies in store."

"I've told you there would be such times
When, of these things, You'd hear
I told you so you'd be PREPARED
And FULL OF PEACE, not fear."

"For all these things MUST be fulfilled
Yet MY WORD fails not
For I AM still your Hiding Place
As all the fires rage hot."

"You're hid beneath MY shadow now
And you can rest in Me
Yes you can trust My Words of LOVE
To last eternally."

"For I'm your Father, Counselor, Friend
Your Alpha and your End
And if this was the world's last day
Be sure, for you, I'd send."

"I've promised I'd save you a place
If you would stay in Me
Stay pure and faithful, eyes on Me
And, victory, you'll see."

"I can't tell you if it's 'the end' -
NO human man can know
But I CAN tell you, it IS close,
So be prepared to go."

"Each day I give you, reach in love
To save another soul
For snatching them from Me for Hell
Is truly Satan's goal."

"Occupy until I come
Live each day FULL in ME
Just keep your eyes upon MY face
And know that I DO see."

"I see the world, I see YOUR LIFE
And I DO care for YOU
And know, no matter WHAT occurs
My love for you stands TRUE."

"I'm Alpha and Omega - God -
I'm King and Lord of ALL
I'll be right near to care for you
As, on My name, you call."

"For I can change the hearts of Kings
And I, their hearts, do try
And I'M the one who formed this world
And says when it shall die."

"So, USE this time to SEEK THE LOST
And tell them of My Love
That they, too, may be saved and live
With Me, again, above."

"Don't listen to fear's voice - hear MINE!
Then STAND on what you've heard
Don't fear yours or the world's fate -
It's destined by MY WORD."

"Keep your eyes on ME, My Child,
And let Me wipe each tear
For I am God and IN CONTROL -
So live in peace, not fear."

 -- by Joni Ames
 

GOD bless America . . . and America, bless GOD!

Budweiser commercial aired only once to acknowledge 9/11:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=966_1187636093

 

Inspiration On 07/25/11

A missionary on furlough told this true story while
visiting his home church in Michigan:

"While serving at a small field hospital in Africa, every
two weeks, I traveled by bicycle through the jungle to a
nearby city for supplies. This was a journey of two days
and required camping overnight at the halfway point.

On one of these journeys, I arrived in the city where I
planned to collect money from a bank, purchase medicine
and supplies, then begin my two-day journey back to the
field hospital. Upon arrival in the city, I observed two
men fighting, one of whom had been seriously injured. I
treated him for his injuries and, at the same time, talked
to him about the Lord. I then traveled two days, camping
overnight, and arrived home without incident. Two weeks
later I repeated my journey.

Upon arriving in the city, I was approached by the young
man I had treated. He told me that he had known I carried
money and medicines. He said, "Some friends and I followed
you into the jungle, knowing you would camp overnight. We
planned to kill you and take your money and drugs. But just
as we were about to move into your camp, we saw that you
were surrounded by 26 armed guards."

At this, I laughed and said that I was certainly all alone
in that jungle campsite. The young man pressed the point,
however, and said, "No sir, I was not the only person to
see the guards. My five friends also saw them, and we all
counted them. It was because of those guards that we were
afraid and left you alone."

At this point in the sermon, which I was delivering in
Michigan, one of the men in the congregation jumped to
his feet and interrupted the missionary. He asked if he
could tell him the exact day this happened. The missionary
told the congregation the date, and the man who interrupted
told him this story:

"On the night of your incident in Africa, it was morning
here, and I was preparing to go play golf. I was about to
putt when I felt the urge to pray for you. In fact, the
urging of the Lord was so strong, I called men in this
church to meet with me here in the sanctuary to pray for
you. Would all of those men who met with me on that day
stand up?"

The men who had met together to pray that day stood up.
The missionary wasn't concerned with who they were, he was
too busy counting how many men he saw. There were 26.

This story is an incredible example of how the Spirit of
the Lord moves in mysterious ways. If you ever hear such
prodding, go along with it. Nothing is ever hurt by prayer
except the gates of hell.

 -- Author Unknown

Inspiration On 07/21/11

 

I cannot say " Our ",
if I live in a water-tight spiritual compartment; if I think a
special place in Heaven is reserved for my denomination.

I cannot say " Father ",
if I do not demonstrate the relationship in my daily life.

I cannot say "which art in Heaven",
if I am so occupied with the earth that I am laying up no
treasure there.

I cannot say " Hallowed be Thy Name ",
if I, who am called by His name, am not holy.

I cannot say " Thy Kingdom come ",
if I am not doing all in my power to hasten its coming.

I cannot say " Thy will be done",
if I am questioning, resentful of or disobedient to
His will for me.

I cannot say " on earth as it is in Heaven",
if I am not prepared to devote my life here to His
service.

I cannot say " Give us this day our daily bread",
if I'm living on past experiences.

I cannot say "forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those that trespass against us,
if I harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot say " Lead us not into temptation ",
if I deliberately place myself, or remain in
a position where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot say " Deliver us from evil ",
if I am not prepared to fight in the spiritual
realm with the weapon of prayer.

I cannot say " Thine is the Kingdom ", 
if I do not accord the King the disciplined
obedience of a loyal subject.

I cannot say " Thine is the power ", 
if I fear what men may do, or what my
neighbor may think.

I cannot say " Thine is the glory ",
if I am seeking glory for myself.

I cannot say " Forever and forever ",
if my horizon is bounded by the things of time.

I cannot say " Amen ",
if I do not also add, "Cost what it may,"
for to say this prayer will cost EVERYTHING.

 -- Author Unknown

 

Inspiration On 07/04/11

 

I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing
proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men.
And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it
probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured,
Sir, in the sacred writings that "except the Lord build they labor in vain
that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his
concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than
the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local
interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall be
become a reproach and a bye word down to future age. And what is
worse, mankind may hereafter this unfortunate instance, despair of
establishing Governments by Human Wisdom, and leave it to chance,
war, and conquest.

I therefore beg leave to move -- that henceforth prayers imploring
the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be
held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business,
and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to
officiate in that service.

 -- From Benjamin Franklin's Constitutional Convention Address On Prayer
     Delivered June 28, 1787 In Philadelphia PA 

 

 

Inspiration On 05/31/11

It's the simple things in life that we often miss. For instance,
prayer is all about God. The only reason you can pray is because
of the blood of Jesus. Prayer is actually an interruption of our
personal goals, for in prayer, we are supposed to submit ourselves
totally to His will, not ours.

Most people pray to improve their own program or their self-image.
But God wants us to commune with Him through prayer so that His
character and nature can come through us. Thus, prayer develops
the life of God in us.

God Bless You!

-- by Bishop Eddie L Long

Inspiration On 02-28-11

If you receive a dozen kind words and one hurtful word today,
which will you remember?

The kind ones?

Probably not. We let go of good easily and cling to sting readily.
One spiteful clod can ruin your whole day.

Pleasant and unpleasant, rude and polite, arrogant and humble
people will enter and exit our lives as long as we live. You are
the one in charge of which ones effect the outcome of your day.
You dictate which ones are allowed a place in your reserve of
memories.

Cling to the good and say a prayer for the rest.

It's difficult to boil in embarrassment or seethe in anger when
you're praying for the person who's trying to control your
feelings. The powerful person is not the loudest or the meanest.
It's the calmest head and quietest heart that prevails.

Inner turmoil allows hasty actions, hurt that can't be taken back,
pain that needs an apology. Inner poise has less regrets.

You work hard at achieving inner peace, a placid place in your
soul to draw strength from when the trials of life come barreling
down the road. If every clod that comes along is allowed to
invade your inner sanctuary, you have no safe haven.

Turn away those who wish you ill will with a blessing and a
prayer. They need it. The stem of their insecurities and fears is
bearing bitter fruit. Rise above it. Don't bite into it.

Hold fast to those who enrich your life. Don't discredit their
goodness by tossing it aside and focusing on the few who
need to bring you down in order to raise themselves up. The
only way they can drag your heart along the ground is if you're
holding on to their rope.

Let it go. Pray it up, and concentrate on more meaningful matters.

 -- Living in love and loving life,
     Terri McPherson

Inspiration On 02-03-11

On Monday - pray and be thankful
On Tuesday - pray and be thankful
On Wednesday - pray and be thankful
On Thursday - pray and be thankful
On Friday - pray and be thankful
On Saturday - pray and be thankful
On Sunday - pray and be thankful