For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Titus 1:7-9 (King James Version)

I received this story in my inbox today and just had to share it with you. It was such an amazing story to read. It really made me think about how I pray when I am alone and what my boy’s would think. It also showed me that I should show my boy’s how to pray. They are not to young to be praying on their own.

So here is the story!

DADDY’S EMPTY CHAIR

A man’s daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father. When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed.

The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.

“I guess you were expecting me, he said.

‘No, who are you?” said the father.

The minister told him his name and then remarked,

“I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew

I was going to show up.”

“Oh yeah, the chair,” said the bedridden man.

“Would you mind closing the door?”

Puzzled, the minister shut the door.

“I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter,” said the man.

“But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head.”

I abandoned any attempt at prayer, “the old man continued,

” until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me,

” Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus.

Here is what I suggest.

“Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It’s not spooky because he promised, ‘I will be with you always.’

“Then just speak to him in the same way you’re doing with me right now.”

“So, I tried it and I’ve liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I’m careful though . If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she’d either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm.”

The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey.

Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon.

“Did he die in peace?” he asked.

“Yes, when I left the house about two o’clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him

“But there was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?”

The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said,

“I wish we could all go like that.”

I asked God for water, He gave me an ocean.*
I asked God for a flower, He gave me a garden.*
I asked God for a friend, He gave me YOU…

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

Last month our furnace went out at our house. It was not a good thing at all. The weather was not the greatest. It was really cold outside and that came inside as well. We were without heat from Saturday until Tuesday afternoon when the plumber came to install it. The plumber that came to install it was just great. He was very careful not to damage anything when he removed the furnace.

I can’t believe how knowledgeable plumbers are. Plumbing Training must be very detailed with all the things a plumber must know. They have to keep up on all the changes with laws and regulations as well as the new technology. It’s amazing!

With the way houses are going up in our city, a plumber would never be without work. Houses are being built on both the East and West sides and it’s amazing. A plumber is needed in each and every house. Not only when a new home is built, but also when an older home has their furnace that goes out like mine did.

So if you are ever interested in becoming a plumber and all the wonderful opportunities that go along with it, check out the great training offered at www.avand.co.uk

Wednesday evening is going to be a wonderful evening. Wednesday night will be the last lunar eclipse we will have until 2010. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the full moon passes into the Earth’s shadow and is blocked from the sun’s rays.

This is a picture of last bit of light creeping away as the Moon slips completely into the heart of the Earth’s shadow during the lunar eclipse on August 28, 2007. This picture is from www.voanews.com

This lunar eclipse will be awesome to see if the weather cooperates in your area. Make sure you check it out!

Possibly the most effective way to share God’s love through your home business is by doing something your clients and colleagues might never see you do. It won’t happen in an email, a newsletter, a phone call, or at your next meeting. It won’t be listed on your timesheet, your FAQ page, or your business proposal.

Your clients and others you work with may never even know you do this for them. If they did know, they might tell you not to bother – you’re just wasting your time. In fact, they might even ask you to stop.

However, the results of this one action could have a dramatic impact on their lives and businesses.

You might have guessed that I’m talking about prayer.

I’m one of those people who pray about everything – small or big. I pray I’ll find a parking stall in a busy lot. I ask for enough space to merge my minivan into a heavy lane of traffic. I pray for the success of my business, prosperity for my family, and that my children will learn to love Jesus as passionately as I do. Every day I pray that my life will be a blessing to others.

I believe the Bible when it says “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (John 5:16) I know it’s true. I’ve experienced the life-changing power of prayer in my own life and in the lives of those close to me.

Read the rest of article at CWAHM.com

Valentine’s Day is next week. It’s the time to show that special someone how much you love them! It’s time to take that special someone on a date and show them how much you love them.

Sometimes it’s hard when we live such busy lives to show those we care about how much we love them and show some romance as well.

We can all use some help on the romantic side of life. With the Romantic Ideas website, you will find poems, quotes, stories, and so much more. They have taken the time to do all the work for you. All you have to do is follow the steps and you are ready to go.

When I was looking through the site I found a page on Romantic notes. A romantic note would be a wonderful thing to find when you are busy doing laundry, working on the house, or reading a book. With the romantic notes page, they show you how to do it all.

Another sweet thing would be to give your special someone an I miss you note. If your husband or wife is going on a trip, you could put this note in the suitecase or in a pocket of a shirt or pants.

So make sure when you are planning that wonderful evening, that you check out Romance For Everyone!

God speaks to us through his Holy Word and he is trying to reach many of us today. Do you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you accepted his invite to come into your heart? The Bible says Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart and anyone who opens the door and lets him in he will come and sup with them. (Revelation 3:20)

Time is drawing near to the return of Christ, Jesus, our Savior, and Lord. The Biblical signs point toward his coming being near but none of us know when our last moment on earth will be individually. Your life could cease in an instant, if so will you stand before God blameless or guilty? The Bible says like in the days of Noah so shall the coming of the son of man be. The Bible says everyone after Adam was born into sin and stand guilty before him. The Bible also says that no righteousness lies within us of our own accord, it says all our righteousness is like filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) Jesus is righteousness. (Romans 5:17-19)

The Bible says the wages of sin is death. Sin=death! How shall I take care of my sin debt so that I can live you ask? God speaks through his word to answer that question, “My Son, Jesus”

Finish this amazing article at the Woman2Woman Lounge

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

Proverbs 23:4 (King James Version)

But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

Mark 6:49-50 (King James Version)

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah, the
beauty of God’s creation is beyond description. As I watched, I
praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord’s
presence with me.

He asked me, “Do you love me?”

I answered, “Of course, God! You are my Lord and Saviour!”

Then He asked, “If you were physically handicapped, would you still
love me?”

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my
body and wondered how many things I wouldn’t be able to do — the
things that I took for granted?

And I answered, “It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You.”

Then the Lord said, “If you were blind, would you still love my
creation?” How could I love something without being able to see it?
Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of
them still loved God and His creation.

So I answered, “Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you.”

The Lord then asked me, “If you were deaf, would you still listen to
my word?” How could I listen to anything being deaf?

Then I understood. Listening to God’s Word is not merely using our
ears, but our hearts.

I answered, “It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word.”

The Lord then asked, “If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?”

How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants
us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we
sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we
are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks.

So I answered, “Though I could not physically sing, I would still
praise Your Name.”

And the Lord asked, “Do you really love Me?”

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, “Yes Lord! I
love You because You are the one and true God!”

I thought I had answered well, but God asked, “THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?”

I answered, “Because I am only human. I am not perfect.”

“THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY IN EARNEST?”

{ No answers — only tears. }

The Lord continued: “Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why
seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask
things so unfaithfully?”

The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

“Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news?
Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My
shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to
serve in My Name?”

I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.

“You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I
have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn
away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in
knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have
shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent
you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have
heard your prayers and I have answered them all.”

“DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME?”

I could not answer. How could I?
I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to
this? My heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, Please
forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child.”

The Lord answered, “That is My Grace, My child.”

I asked, “Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?”

The Lord answered, “Because you are My creation. You are my child. I
will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry
with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are
down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When
you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of
days, and I will love you forever.”

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How
could I have hurt God as I had done?

I asked God, “How much do You love me?”

The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I
bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Saviour. And for the first time,
I truly prayed.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with
such things as ye have: for he hath said, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE,
NOR FORSAKE THEE.” Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)