Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (6/1/2015).,,

One night a father overheard his son pray: "Dear God, Make me the kind of man my Daddy is." Later that night, the Father prayed, "Dear God, Make me the kind of man my son wants me to be."

- Unknown

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NLT) And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 

Galatians 3:26, 28-29 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY's READING (5/29/2015)...

"We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color."

- Maya Angelou

Galatians 3:26, 28-29 (NLT) For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus...There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you. 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/28/2015)...

I always wondered why somebody didn’t do something about that; then I realized that I am somebody.

- Unknown

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT) Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 

Psalms 141:3 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/27/2015)...

SOME FOREIGN SIGNS TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH...

In a Paris, France elevator: "Please leave your values at the front desk."

In a Rhodes, Greece tailor shop: "Order your summers suit. Because is a big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation."

In an advertisement by a Hong Kong, China dentist: "Teeth extracted by the latest Methodists."

In an Acapulco, Mexico hotel: "The manager has personally passed all the water served here."

In a Tokyo, Japan shop: "Our nylons cost more than common, but you'll find they are best in the long run."

Psalms 141:3 (NLT) Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips. 

Proverbs 21:23 (NLT) Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. 

James 4:17 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/26/2015)...

"Sometimes it is better to lose and do the right thing than to win and do the wrong thing." 

- Tony Blair

James 4:17 (NLT) Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. 

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/22/2015)...

"It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who go into battle."

- Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf

 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 

John 15:13 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/21/2015)...

"And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm fee. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me."

- Lee Greenwood

John 15:13 (NLT) There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

Hebrews 13:1-6 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/20/2015)...

"Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick will be how you treat other people - your family, friends, and coworkers, and even strangers you meet along the way."

- Mrs. Barbara Bush

Hebrews 13:1-6 (NLT) Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. 

Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” 

So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” 

Exodus 4:10-15 ( NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/19/2015)...

"With God there are no extraordinary people - only ordinary ones through whom he chooses to do extraordinary things."

- John Maxwell

Exodus 4:10-15 (NLT) But Moses pleaded with the LORD, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” 

Then the LORD asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” 

But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.” 

Then the LORD became angry with Moses. “All right,” he said. “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you. Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do. 

Proverbs 6:6-11 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/18/2015)...

"If Ordinary People …Gave a Little Extra Effort, Spent a Little Extra Time, Sought a Little Extra Help …They Would Become Extraordinary!"

- John Maxwell

Proverbs 6:6-11 (NLT) Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber. 

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/15/2015)...

"Even the bugs have bugs."
- NBC Evening News NBC TV (9/8/96)

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 (NLT) Don’t eavesdrop on others—you may hear your servant curse you. For you know how often you yourself have cursed others. 

Psalm 9:1-2 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/14/2015)...

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt in the heart."

- Helen Keller

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 

Psalms 9:1-2 (NLT)  I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. 

Psalms 51:10 (NLT) Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 

Colossians 3:12-15 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/12/2015)...

“If our perfect Lord is gracious enough to take our worst, and ugliest, our most boring, our least successful, and forgive them, burying them in the depths of the sea, then it’s high time we give each other a break.”

- Chuck Swindoll

Colossians 3:12-15 (NLT) Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 

1 John 5:13-15 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/11/2015)...

“And shall I pray Thee change Thy will, my Father,
Until it be according unto mine?
But, no, Lord, no, that never shall be, rather
I pray Thee blend my human will with Thine.

I pray Thee hush the hurrying, eager longing,
I pray Thee soothe the pangs of keen desire—
See in my quiet places, wishes thronging—
Forbid them, Lord, purge, though it be with fire.” 
- Amy Carmichael

1 John 5:13-15 (NLT) I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. 

Ephesians 6:1-3 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/8/2015...

“Mom, when thoughts of you are in our hearts, we are never far from home."

~ Author Unknown 

Pause a moment, think about, and post a reason why "mother" is that person for us, not only this coming weekend, but everyday. 

Ephesians 6:1-3 (NLT) Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” 

Psalm 139:13-16 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/7/2015)...

Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.”  

~ Author Unknown

Psalms 139:13-16 (NLT) You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 

Proverbs 31:25-31 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/6/2015)...

A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest.

- Irish Proverb

Proverbs 31:25-31 (NLT) She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. 

Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. 

Matthew 10:31 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/5/2015)...

"It's not the years in your life that counts, it's the life in your years."

- Abraham Lincoln

Matthew 10:31 (NLT) So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. 

Proverbs 21:5 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/4/2015).,,

7 Ways to Make Bad Decisions....

1. Make them too fast 

2. Make them too slow 

3. Make them to keep people happy 

4. Make them when angry

5. Make them alone 

6. Make them reactionary 

7. Make them out of fear 

- by Ron Edmondson

Proverbs 21:5 (NLT) Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. 

Psalm 1:1-6 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (5/1/2015)...

Character, like porcelain-ware, must be painted before it is glazed. There can be no change of color after it is burned in.

- Henry Ward Beecher

Psalm 1 (The Message, paraphrase)

1 How well God must like you—

you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon,

you don’t slink along Dead-End Road,

you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.

2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word,

you chew on Scripture day and night.

You’re a tree replanted in Eden,

bearing fresh fruit every month,

Never dropping a leaf,

always in blossom.

4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked,

who are mere windblown dust—

Without defense in court,

unfit company for innocent people.

6 God charts the road you take.

The road they take is Skid Row.