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 do.
Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.
Today I can murmur dejectedly 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!
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence.' - Jeremiah 17:7
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
If Lizard Can, Why Can't We?
This is a true story that happened in Japan .
Japanese houses normally have a hollow space between the wooden walls. In order to renovate a house, someone in Japan broke open a wall.
When tearing down the walls, he found that there was a lizard stuck there because a nail from outside hammered into one of its feet. He sees this, feels pity, and at the same time curious, as when he checked the nail, it was nailed 10 years ago when the house was first built.
What happened?
The lizard has survived in such position for 10 years! In a dark wall partition for 10 years without moving, it is impossible and mind boggling.
Then he wondered how this lizard survived for 10 years! without moving a single step--since its foot was nailed!
So he stopped his work and observed the lizard, what it has been doing, and what and how it has been eating. Later, not knowing from where it came, appears another lizard, with food in its mouth.
Ahh! He was stunned and touched deeply. For the lizard that was stuck by nail, another lizard has been feeding it for the past 10 years...Such help! such a beautiful love! Such happened even with this tiny creature ... What can help do? It can do wonders!
Help can do miracles! Imagine? it has been doing that untiringly for 10 long years, without giving up hope on its partner.
Imagine what a small creature can do that a creature blessed with a brilliant mind can't.
Never abandon your loved ones.
HELP is an act, do it, let it go.
LOVE is a gift, take it, let it grow.
PATIENCE is a sign, we should wear, let it show.
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'I will never fail you or forsake you. ' - Hebrews 13:5
Japanese houses normally have a hollow space between the wooden walls. In order to renovate a house, someone in Japan broke open a wall.
When tearing down the walls, he found that there was a lizard stuck there because a nail from outside hammered into one of its feet. He sees this, feels pity, and at the same time curious, as when he checked the nail, it was nailed 10 years ago when the house was first built.
What happened?
The lizard has survived in such position for 10 years! In a dark wall partition for 10 years without moving, it is impossible and mind boggling.
Then he wondered how this lizard survived for 10 years! without moving a single step--since its foot was nailed!
So he stopped his work and observed the lizard, what it has been doing, and what and how it has been eating. Later, not knowing from where it came, appears another lizard, with food in its mouth.
Ahh! He was stunned and touched deeply. For the lizard that was stuck by nail, another lizard has been feeding it for the past 10 years...Such help! such a beautiful love! Such happened even with this tiny creature ... What can help do? It can do wonders!
Help can do miracles! Imagine? it has been doing that untiringly for 10 long years, without giving up hope on its partner.
Imagine what a small creature can do that a creature blessed with a brilliant mind can't.
Never abandon your loved ones.
HELP is an act, do it, let it go.
LOVE is a gift, take it, let it grow.
PATIENCE is a sign, we should wear, let it show.
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'I will never fail you or forsake you. ' - Hebrews 13:5
Live, Give, Love & Be Thankful
An elderly woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. 'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'
The old woman smiled and said, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'
She continued, 'For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.
You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'The Lord will guide you always, he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land. You will be like a spring whose waters never fail.' - Isaiah 58:11
One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. 'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'
The old woman smiled and said, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'
She continued, 'For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.
You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'The Lord will guide you always, he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land. You will be like a spring whose waters never fail.' - Isaiah 58:11
Magnanimity
Once Shri Guru Govind singh was going somewhere with his troop. Suddenly a stone came quickly from nowhere and hit his head.
A little line of blood appeared on the temple of Sri Govind Singh. His soldiers immediately went around finding the culprit. Very soon they came back with a destitute, lean and thin lady. The lady was trembling with fear.
When she was brought in front of Shri Govind Singh, she said,' O my lord, please forgive me for this grave offence. My bad luck is following me everywhere. My three kids were dying of hunger as we didn't get anything to eat for past three days. To save the life of my children, I thought of picking some fruits form the nearby garden. As I threw stone to get the fruit from the tree, the stone instead of hitting the fruit, came and hit your temple.'
Hearing her plight the heart of Sri Guru Govind Singh melted with compassion and he ordered his men to give 1000 coins and nice food items to the lady.
Everyone was astonished, including the poor lady. Then one of the confidants asked Guru Govind singh for the reason of this prize.
Sri Guru Govind Singh answered,' Even a dumb, immovable tree gives fruits on throwing stones. Why should I not help the needy for I am far better and well off than that tree?'
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'Freely you have received, freely give.' - Matthew 10:8
A little line of blood appeared on the temple of Sri Govind Singh. His soldiers immediately went around finding the culprit. Very soon they came back with a destitute, lean and thin lady. The lady was trembling with fear.
When she was brought in front of Shri Govind Singh, she said,' O my lord, please forgive me for this grave offence. My bad luck is following me everywhere. My three kids were dying of hunger as we didn't get anything to eat for past three days. To save the life of my children, I thought of picking some fruits form the nearby garden. As I threw stone to get the fruit from the tree, the stone instead of hitting the fruit, came and hit your temple.'
Hearing her plight the heart of Sri Guru Govind Singh melted with compassion and he ordered his men to give 1000 coins and nice food items to the lady.
Everyone was astonished, including the poor lady. Then one of the confidants asked Guru Govind singh for the reason of this prize.
Sri Guru Govind Singh answered,' Even a dumb, immovable tree gives fruits on throwing stones. Why should I not help the needy for I am far better and well off than that tree?'
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'Freely you have received, freely give.' - Matthew 10:8
Born To Live
I would like to be a flower which blooms to full glory and dies, than being a tree that never blossoms.
I would like to be a spark that burns with a brilliant blaze for a moment, than being a light which cannot show path to anyone.
I would like to be a superb meteor which carries a magnificent glow, than being a sleepy and permanent planet.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
I am born to Live. Not to Exist.
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'God is with you in all that you do.' - Genesis 21:22
I would like to be a spark that burns with a brilliant blaze for a moment, than being a light which cannot show path to anyone.
I would like to be a superb meteor which carries a magnificent glow, than being a sleepy and permanent planet.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
I am born to Live. Not to Exist.
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'God is with you in all that you do.' - Genesis 21:22
Embrace All Equally
There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer, and he started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry so he offered her a Twinkie.
She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.
Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave but before he had gone more than a few steps; he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, 'What did you do today that made you so happy?' He replied, 'I had lunch with God.' But before his mother could respond, he added, 'You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!'
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, 'Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?'
She replied, 'I ate Twinkies in the park with God.' But before her son responded, she added, 'You know, he's much younger than I expected.'
Too often we under estimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'God has poured out his love into our hearts.' - Romans 5:5
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry so he offered her a Twinkie.
She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.
Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave but before he had gone more than a few steps; he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, 'What did you do today that made you so happy?' He replied, 'I had lunch with God.' But before his mother could respond, he added, 'You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!'
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, 'Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?'
She replied, 'I ate Twinkies in the park with God.' But before her son responded, she added, 'You know, he's much younger than I expected.'
Too often we under estimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'God has poured out his love into our hearts.' - Romans 5:5
What Do You Seek?
Once there was a king who had presented his daughter, the princess, with a beautiful diamond necklace. The necklace was stolen and his people in the kingdom searched everywhere but could not find it. Some said a bird might have stolen it. Finally, the king announced a reward of 10,000 gold coins for anyone who would bring the necklace.
One day a clerk was walking home along a river next to an industrial area. As he was walking, the clerk saw a shimmering in the river and when he looked, he saw the diamond necklace. Immediately he put his hand in the filthy, dirty river and grabbed the necklace, but some how missed it. He tried again, this time he walked in the river and spoiled his trousers in the filthy river and put his whole arm in to catch the necklace. But strangely, he still missed the necklace! At last he decided to plunge into the river, although it was a disgusting to dive in such filthy river. He plunged in, and searched everywhere for the necklace and yet he failed. This time he was really surprised and confused why he can’t get the necklace!!
Just then a saint who was walking by, saw him, and asked him what the matter was. He told the whole story to the saint. The saint then told him that perhaps he should try looking upward, toward the branches of the tree, instead of looking in the filthy river. The clerks looked up and true enough; the necklace was dangling on the branch of a tree. He had been trying to capture a mere reflection of the real necklace all this time.
Material happiness is just like the filthy, polluted river; because it is a mere reflection of the TRUE happiness of the spiritual world. Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God, And all these things shall be added unto you.
Have a HAPPY day!
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'The fruit of the spirit is love, joy and peace.' - Galatians 5:22
One day a clerk was walking home along a river next to an industrial area. As he was walking, the clerk saw a shimmering in the river and when he looked, he saw the diamond necklace. Immediately he put his hand in the filthy, dirty river and grabbed the necklace, but some how missed it. He tried again, this time he walked in the river and spoiled his trousers in the filthy river and put his whole arm in to catch the necklace. But strangely, he still missed the necklace! At last he decided to plunge into the river, although it was a disgusting to dive in such filthy river. He plunged in, and searched everywhere for the necklace and yet he failed. This time he was really surprised and confused why he can’t get the necklace!!
Just then a saint who was walking by, saw him, and asked him what the matter was. He told the whole story to the saint. The saint then told him that perhaps he should try looking upward, toward the branches of the tree, instead of looking in the filthy river. The clerks looked up and true enough; the necklace was dangling on the branch of a tree. He had been trying to capture a mere reflection of the real necklace all this time.
Material happiness is just like the filthy, polluted river; because it is a mere reflection of the TRUE happiness of the spiritual world. Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God, And all these things shall be added unto you.
Have a HAPPY day!
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'The fruit of the spirit is love, joy and peace.' - Galatians 5:22
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Winners Never Quit!
A little girl - the 20th of 22 children, was born prematurely and her survival was doubtful. When she was 4 years old, she contracted double pneumonia and scarlet fever, which left her with a paralyzed left leg.
At age 9, she removed the metal leg brace she had been dependent on and began to walk without it.
By 13 she had developed a rhythmic walk, which doctors said was a miracle. That same year she decided to become a runner. She entered a race and came in last.
For the next few years every race she entered, she came in last. Everyone told her to quit, but she kept on running.
One day she actually won a race, and then another. From then on she won every race she entered. Eventually this little girl - Wilma Rudolph, went on to win three Olympic gold medals. Winners never quit!
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.'- Psalms 119:105
At age 9, she removed the metal leg brace she had been dependent on and began to walk without it.
By 13 she had developed a rhythmic walk, which doctors said was a miracle. That same year she decided to become a runner. She entered a race and came in last.
For the next few years every race she entered, she came in last. Everyone told her to quit, but she kept on running.
One day she actually won a race, and then another. From then on she won every race she entered. Eventually this little girl - Wilma Rudolph, went on to win three Olympic gold medals. Winners never quit!
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.'- Psalms 119:105
The Best Is Yet to Come
She was dying. Her life was measured not in years…or months…but in weeks and days. She called the minister to her home to make her final preparations.
As they talked of her funeral, she listed the scriptures she wanted read and the hymns she wanted sung. The the lady said to the minister, ”When I’m placed in my casket I want you to put a fork in my hand.” Noticing the puzzled look on the minister’s face, she asked if anything was wrong. ”Oh, no,” he replied, ”but it’s the first time anyone has made such an unusual request.”
So the lady began to explain. ”All my life I have attended church dinners and fellowships. Whenever we finished the meal, someone would come to collect the dishes and say, ‘Keep your fork.’ I knew what this meant. The best was yet to come. There would be apple pie or chocolate cake or some other delicacy. And I know for me, the best is yet to come. My death is not a time of sadness but of celebration. So I want to have a fork put in my hand. You can tell the people why in your message.'
The lady died. The minister meticulously followed her instructions. Everyone who passed the casket saw the fork in her hand, and everyone wondered, ”Why”. The scripture was read, the hymns were sung, the message was given and the story was told. Then everyone knew the reason for the fork and understood the amazing picture it portrayed.
I think I might like to be buried with a fork in my hand. The best is yet to come. Eternity…the Savior…Heaven. And the best is yet to come even now…God’s deepening grace…His powerful Presence…the smile of His approval.
Always keep a fork in your hand…not literally, but spiritually and mentally…and look for the best…now…and yet to come!
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'I came that you may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance, until it overflows.' - John 10:10
As they talked of her funeral, she listed the scriptures she wanted read and the hymns she wanted sung. The the lady said to the minister, ”When I’m placed in my casket I want you to put a fork in my hand.” Noticing the puzzled look on the minister’s face, she asked if anything was wrong. ”Oh, no,” he replied, ”but it’s the first time anyone has made such an unusual request.”
So the lady began to explain. ”All my life I have attended church dinners and fellowships. Whenever we finished the meal, someone would come to collect the dishes and say, ‘Keep your fork.’ I knew what this meant. The best was yet to come. There would be apple pie or chocolate cake or some other delicacy. And I know for me, the best is yet to come. My death is not a time of sadness but of celebration. So I want to have a fork put in my hand. You can tell the people why in your message.'
The lady died. The minister meticulously followed her instructions. Everyone who passed the casket saw the fork in her hand, and everyone wondered, ”Why”. The scripture was read, the hymns were sung, the message was given and the story was told. Then everyone knew the reason for the fork and understood the amazing picture it portrayed.
I think I might like to be buried with a fork in my hand. The best is yet to come. Eternity…the Savior…Heaven. And the best is yet to come even now…God’s deepening grace…His powerful Presence…the smile of His approval.
Always keep a fork in your hand…not literally, but spiritually and mentally…and look for the best…now…and yet to come!
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'I came that you may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance, until it overflows.' - John 10:10
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Cure For Sorrow
There is an old Chinese tale about a woman whose only son died.
In her grief, she went to the holy man and said, “What prayers, what magical incantations do you have to bring my son back to life?” Instead of sending her away or reasoning with her, he said to her, “Fetch me a mustard seed from a home that has never known sorrow. We will use it to drive the sorrow out of your life.”
The woman went off at once in search of that magical mustard seed. She came first to a splendid mansion, knocked at the door, and said, “I am looking for a home that has never known sorrow. Is this a place? It is very important to me.” They told her, “You’ve certainly come to the wrong place,” and began to describe all the tragic things that recently had befallen them. The woman said to herself, “Who is better able to help these poor, unfortunate people than I, who have had misfortune of my own?”
She stayed to comfort them, and then went on in search of a home that had never known sorrow. But wherever she turned, in hovels and in other places, she found one tale after another of sadness and misfortune.
She became so involved in ministering to other people’s grief that ultimately she forgot about her quest for the magical mustard seed, never realizing that it had, in fact, driven the sorrow out of her life.
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'The Kingdom of God (heaven) is within you.'- Luke 17:21
In her grief, she went to the holy man and said, “What prayers, what magical incantations do you have to bring my son back to life?” Instead of sending her away or reasoning with her, he said to her, “Fetch me a mustard seed from a home that has never known sorrow. We will use it to drive the sorrow out of your life.”
The woman went off at once in search of that magical mustard seed. She came first to a splendid mansion, knocked at the door, and said, “I am looking for a home that has never known sorrow. Is this a place? It is very important to me.” They told her, “You’ve certainly come to the wrong place,” and began to describe all the tragic things that recently had befallen them. The woman said to herself, “Who is better able to help these poor, unfortunate people than I, who have had misfortune of my own?”
She stayed to comfort them, and then went on in search of a home that had never known sorrow. But wherever she turned, in hovels and in other places, she found one tale after another of sadness and misfortune.
She became so involved in ministering to other people’s grief that ultimately she forgot about her quest for the magical mustard seed, never realizing that it had, in fact, driven the sorrow out of her life.
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'The Kingdom of God (heaven) is within you.'- Luke 17:21
Monday Morning Greetings!
Imagine there is a bank that credits your account with S$ 86,400 every morning. It carries over no balance from day to day; allows you to keep no cash balance; every night deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do with such an account? Draw out every penny, of course!
Every one of us has such a ‘bank’. Its name is TIME. Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off as lost whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft.
Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the records of the day. If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against tomorrow. You must live in the present -on today’s deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success!
The clock is running. Make the most of today! And make it a great week ahead!
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.' - III John 2
Every one of us has such a ‘bank’. Its name is TIME. Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off as lost whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft.
Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the records of the day. If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against tomorrow. You must live in the present -on today’s deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success!
The clock is running. Make the most of today! And make it a great week ahead!
Yrs lovingly,
Adele
'Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.' - III John 2
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