The Tavern Owner Believes in Prayer

In a small mid-western conservative town, a man decided to build a Tavern. Permits were acquired and the building began. Soon the small town would have its first beer and wine service business. The local church took exception to this. They started to pray, and generated a written petition campaign, to block them from opening. They did not want this business in their town. Work progressed however right up until the week of the scheduled opening.

Then one night there was an enormous thunder storm and lightning struck the new place; it burned to the ground. The church folks were pleased, of course. But the devastated bar owner went to court. He sued the church for the destruction of their building. The church, of course, came to court and vehemently denied all responsibility, or any connection, to the destruction of the Tavern.

The case made its way through the legal system. In the process the judge, to whom it was assigned, commented at the public hearing “I do not know how to decide this. It looks like the Tavern owner believes in the power of prayer, but the church people don’t.”

Thanking and Praising the Dental Hygienist

What do you think about lying there with the dental hygienist carefully cleaning your teeth? You can't chat with her, or even watch the TV on the wall. All you can do is think. So that is how I spent my hour.


Of course I was amazed that anyone would like to do what she was doing-working inside someone's moist and personal mouth. And so carefully and thoroughly!!!


The result was I rehearsed my affirmation of her. I carefully planned exactly what I would say to her to express my appreciation. Finally the right moment came. I was sitting up. My mouth had been rinsed and there was nothing more to distract her. It was time for me to leave.


"I am really thankful there are people like you who enjoy doing this kind of work." Then I added "Thank you very much for doing this." She was beaming as I concluded. I felt I really touched her heart. And I meant every word of it.

Old Song, Great Thoughts

Out on the highways and byways of life       Many are weary and sad

Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife    Making the sorrowing glad 

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing-

Out of my life------may Jesus shine;

Make me a blessing, O Jesus I pray

Make me a blessing to someone today.

Big Smile, Long Life

People who smile a lot are usually happier, have more stable personalities, more stable marriages,better cognitive skills and better interpersonal skills, according to research. Science has just uncovered another benefit of a happy face. People who have big smiles live longer. Research at Wayne State University

This Is the Purpose-Filled Life

I love that word en-thus-iasm. The four letters in the middle t-h-u-s come from the Greek word Theos. Theos means God, in Greek. It is the first part of the word Theology which means God Knowledge, God-ology. So en-thus-iasm really means to have God energy, or God inside, that you are God driven; that you are a God-centered person. So add enthusiasm to “You are the light of the world” and we have a mighty important presence.


Behavior change is difficult!! I want to push this as hard as I dare. YOU must take ownership of this challenge to make the world a better place, to care about strangers, to reach into uncomfortable places where you’d rather not be. Many of you have seen the powerful movie The Passion of Christ. What a comfort busting experience that is!! It calls us to suffering too. It insists that we give our lives for others. WE ARE CALLED TO LEAVE THE COMFORT ZONE AND GET HURT IF NECESSARY WHILE TRYING TO BRING HEALING TO OTHERS. WE TOO MUST DIE FOR OTHERS.


AND WHENEVER WE WALK ACROSS THE ROOM, INTROVERT THAT I may be, and welcome a stranger, as ineptly as I may do it I AM DYING FOR HER. AND IN DYING FOR HER I AM RESUSCITATING HER, RAISING HER FROM THE DEAD. What a revolutionary thought !!


I BEG YOU TO TAKE TOTAL OWNERSHIP OF EVERY ROOM YOU SIT IN OR ENTER. I BEG YOU TO TAKE LEADERSHIP IN NOTICING WHO IS THERE AND INTENTIONALLY APPROACHING WHOEVER MIGHT POSSIBLY BE ALONE. ENDEAVOR IN SOME FAULTY, TREMBLING, INARTICULATE WAY IF NECESSARY, TO BRING THEM IN. JUST BE THERE!!


Certainly you must think of every human being as “the walking wounded” but you are not to think of how you must fix them. YOUR FIXING IS UNDERWAY WHEN YOU GREET A STRANGER OR LIFT THE SPIRITS OF ANYONE by just saying "hello". LEAVE THE FIXING TO GOD. So, “Don’t just do something. Stand there.”

90% of Helping is Just Showing Up

THE POWER OF THREE LITTLE WORDS Some of the most significant messages people deliver to one Another often come in just three words. When spoken or conveyed, Those statements have the power to forge new friendships, deepen Old ones and restore relationships that have cooled. The following Three word phrases can enrich every relationship: I'll BE THERE - Being there for another person is the greatest gift We can give When we are truly present for other people, important things Happen to them and to us. We are renewed in love and friendship, We are restored emotionally and spiritually. 'Being there' is at the very core of civility ---contributed by Denise Goodson