Source Unknown

The Thing That Couldn't Be Done

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That maybe it couldn't, but he would be one
Who wouldn't say no till he tried.
So he buckled right in, with a trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried, he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done and he DID it!

  Author Unknown. 
  Submitted by Karla Wells

Risk

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk rejection.
To place your dreams before the crowd is to risk
ridicule.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to
risk failure.
But risks must be taken...
because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing,
is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow,
but he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or love.
Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave.
He has forfeited his freedom.
Only a person who takes risks is free.

Author Unknown

Stop Waiting 

So stop waiting until you finish school,
until you go back to school,
until you lose ten pounds,
until you gain ten pounds,
until you have kids,
until your kids leave the house,
until you start work,
until you retire,
until you get married,
until you get divorced,
until Friday night,
until Sunday morning,
until you get a new car or home,
until your car or home is paid off,
until spring, until summer, until fall, 
  until winter,
until you are off welfare,
until the first or fifteenth,
until your song comes on,
until you've had a drink,
until you've sobered up,
until you die,
until you are born again
to decide that there is no better time than 
  right now to be happy...

  -- Author Unknown. 
    Cited on Inspiration Peak.
    http://tinyurl.com/r3ddk

Words

  A Word...
  A Careless word may kindle strife;
  A Cruel word may wreck a life.
  A Bitter word may hate instill;
  A Brutal word may smite and kill.
  A Gracious word may smooth the way;
  A Joyous word may light the day.
  A Timely word may lessen stress;
  A Loving word may heal and bless.

    -- Author Unknown.

Money  Money  Money . Warning 
"Money will buy a bed but not sleep; 
books but not brains; 
food but not appetite;
 finery but not beauty;
 a house but not a home; 
medicine but not health;
 luxuries but not culture; 
amusements but not happiness;
 religion but not salvation; 
a passport to everywhere 
but heaven." -- Author Unknown
"And He [Jesus] said to them, 'Take heed and beware of
covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the
abundance of the things he possesses.'" -- The Bible,
Luke 12:15 (NKJV).

Try Me--Not Why Me? 

Smooth roads never make good drivers.
Smooth seas never make good sailors.
Clear skies never makes good pilots. 

Problem and hassle free life never makes a strong
person. Be strong enough to accept the challenges of
Life. Don't ask Life, "Why Me? Instead say "Try Me!"

  -- Author Unknown. Submitted by Douglas Roman

The Power of an Extraodinary Mother
One day, Thomas Edison came home and gave a paper to
his mother. He told her, "My teacher gave this paper to
me and told me to only give it to my mother."

His mother's eyes were tearful as she read the letter
out loud to her child: "Your son is a genius. This
school is too small for him and doesn't have enough
good teachers for training him. Please teach him
yourself."

After many, many years, Edison's mother died, and he
had become one of the greatest inventors of the
century. One day he began looking through old family
things. Suddenly he saw a folded paper in the corner of
a drawer in a desk. He took it and opened it up. On the
paper was written: "Your son is addled [mentally ill].
We won't let him come to school any more."

Edison cried for hours and then he wrote in his diary:
"Thomas Alva Edison was an addled child that, by a hero
mother, became the genius of the century."

    -- Source Unknown

Growing Older 

As we grow older, and hence wiser, we slowly realize
that wearing a $300.00 or a $30.00 watch--they both
tell the same time.

Whether we carry a $300.00 or $30.00
wallet/handbag--the amount of money inside is the same.

Whether the house we live in is 300 or 3,000
sq.ft.--loneliness is the same.

You will realize that your true inner happiness does
not come from the material things of this world.

Whether you fly First, Business or Economy class, if
the plane goes down--you go down with it.

Therefore, I hope you realize, when you have mates,
buddies and old friends, brothers and sisters with whom
you chat, laugh, talk, have sing-songs together, talk
about heaven earth, that is true happiness! 

  -- Author Unknown

Turning Pain into Gain 

As a young man Demosthenes, the famous Greek orator,
had a speech impediment that made him feel shy and
insecure. His father left him a wealthy estate, but
according to Greek law at the time, to claim his estate
he had to establish his right of ownership through
public debate. Because of his inability to speak
clearly and prove his ownership he lost his
inheritance.

Motivated by his loss and through dogged determination
Demosthenes overcame his speech impediment to become
one of the great orators of ancient times. Nobody
remembers who got his inheritance but the story of
Demosthenes has been told to countless numbers for
centuries.

  -- Author Unknown

Don't Quit 

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out,
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

  -- Author Unknown 

Be Still 

Many years ago a little boy was given a priceless
possession: his deceased grandfather's gold pocket
watch. How he treasured it. But one day, while playing
at his father's ice plant, he lost the watch amidst all
the ice and sawdust.

He searched and scratched, becoming frantic, but no
watch. Then he suddenly realized what to do. He stopped
scurrying around and became very still. In the silence
he heard the watch ticking.

"Be still and know that I am God."

  -- Source Unknown

Being as Christ 

Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to
you?
Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my
servant too.

We are pilgrims on a journey, here together on the
road,
We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear
the load

I will hold the Christ-light for you, in the night-time
of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you
long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh I'll
laugh with you,
I will share your joy and sorrow till we've seen this
journey through.

When we sing to God and Heaven, we shall find such
harmony,
Born of all we've known together of Christ's love and
agony. 

  - Author Unknown

If You Think You Are...

There is an important poem that my wise friend,
Anonymous, once wrote which distils the importance of
controlling our thoughts if we want to control our
destiny. Anonymous entitled this poem, "The Winner's
Creed" and may this creed inspire new thoughts and
visions of greatness in our lives:

"If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you like to win, but you think you can't
It is almost certain you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost.
For out of the world we find
Success begins with a person's will --
It's all in the state of mind
If you think you're outclassed, you are.
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win the prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger woman or man,
But sooner or later the one who wins
Is the one WHO THINKS HE CAN."

-- Anonymous

Winners vs Losers 

A winner is always a part of the answer;
A loser is always a part of the problem.

The winner always has a program;
The Loser always has an excuse.

The winner says, "Let me do it for you;"
The Loser says, "It's not my job."

The winner sees an answer for every problem;
The Loser sees a problem in every answer.

The winner sees a green near every sand trap;
The Loser sees two or three sand traps near every
green.

The Winner says, "It may be difficult, but it is
possible."
The Loser says, "It may be possible, but it is just too
difficult."

  -- Author Unknown

. Forgiven--Too Poor to Pay 

When the books of a certain Scottish doctor were
examined after his death, it was found that a number of
accounts were crossed through with a note:
"Forgiven--too poor to pay." But the physician's wife
later decided that these accounts must be paid in full
and she proceeded to sue for money. When the case came
to court, the judge asked but one question: Is this
your husband's handwriting? When she replied that it
was, he responded: "There is no court in the land that
can obtain a debt once the word forgiven has been
written."

What an incredible blessing it is to know that when we
confess our sinfulness to God and accept Jesus Christ
as our Lord and Savior, God has totally forgiven us
forever because Jesus paid the penalty for all our sins
when he died on the cross. 

  -- Author Unknown

As Long As There Is Hope 

A few years ago the psychology department of Duke
University carried on an interesting experiment. They
wanted to see how long rats could swim. In one
container they placed a rat for whom there was no
possibility of escape. He swam a few moments and then
ducked his head to drown. In the other container they
made the hope of escape a possibility for the rat. The
rat swam for several hours before finally giving up.
The conclusion of the experiment was just the opposite
of our common conclusion. We usually say, "As long as
there is life, there is hope." The Duke experiment
proved, "As long as there is hope, there is life."

  -- Source Unknown

To Let Go

To "let go" does not mean to stop caring; it means I
can't do it for someone else.

To "let go" is not to cut myself off; it is the
realization I can't control another.

To "let go" is not to enable but to allow learning from
natural consequences.

To "let go" is to admit powerlessness, which means the
outcome is not in my hands.

To "let go" is not to try to change or blame another;
it is to make the most of myself.

To "let go" is not to care for, but to care about.

To "let go" is not to fix, but to be supportive.

To "let go" is not to judge, but to allow another to be
a human being.

To "let go" is not to be in the middle arranging all
the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own
destinies.

To "let go" is not to be protective; it is to permit
another to face reality.

To "let go" is not to deny, but to accept.

To "let go" is not to nag, scold, or argue, but instead
to search out my own shortcomings and to correct them.

To "let go" is not to adjust everything to my desires,
but to take each day as it comes, and to cherish myself
in it.

To "let go" is not to criticize and regulate anybody
else, but to try to become what I dream I can be.

To "let go" is not to regret the past, but to grow and
to live for the future.

To "let go" is to fear less and to love more.

  -- Author Unknown

Remember 

Remember the day I borrowed your brand new car and I
dented it? I thought you'd kill me, but you didn't.

And remember the time I dragged you to the beach, and
you said it would rain, and it did. I thought you'd
say, "I told you so," but you didn't.

Do you remember the time I flirted with all the guys to
make you jealous, and you were? I thought you'd leave
me, but you didn't.

Do you remember the time I spilled strawberry pie all
over your car rug? I thought you'd hit me, but you
didn't.

And remember the time I forgot to tell you the dance
was formal, and you showed up in jeans? I thought you'd
drop me, but you didn't.

Yes, there were lots of things you didn't do, but you
put up with me, and you loved me, and you protected me.

There were lots of things I wanted to make up to you
when you returned from Viet Nam.

But you didn't. 

  -- Anonymous

The Real Meaning of Peace

  Author Unknown

There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist
who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists
tried. The king looked at all the pictures. But there
were only two he really liked, and he had to choose
between them. 

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect
mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it.
Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All
who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect
picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains, too. But these were
rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which
rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side
of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did
not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the
waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock.
In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in
the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother
bird on her nest--in perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize? The king
chose the second picture. Do you know why?

"Because," explained the king, "peace does not mean to
be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard
work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those
things and still be calm in your heart. That is the
real meaning of peace."

  Source: Inspiration Peak at:
http://www.inspirationpeak.com/

Sponges

There are five sponges lying on your kitchen counter.
Each member of your family has been cleaning up
different areas of your home, but all the sponges look
the same. You are curious as to what was cleaned, but
you can't tell by looking. They all look the same. So,
what do you do? As you squeeze the first sponge, you
see that cola comes out, and you decide that someone
cleaned the kitchen with that one. Upon squeezing the
second sponge, you find tub and tile cleaner. That one
was used in the bathroom. In the third sponge you find
motor oil. Someone cleaned the garage. In the fourth
sponge, baby power puffs out. The baby's nursery was
cleaned with that one. In the last sponge is floor wax.
That was the one you used on the hall floor. As you lay
the last one down, you look again at their similarity.

They all look the same until they are squeezed.
Christians are the same!

As life squeezes us, different things come out: anger,
revenge, tears, remorse, greed, untruth, lust and
finally, from one saint, pours forth the love of
Christ. Just like the sponge, we can only squeeze out
what is put in. Stay in the Word daily and be in
continuous prayer so that when life puts the squeeze on
you, Jesus, and Jesus alone will shine forth.

As you think upon this, ask yourself, if I was
squeezed, would Jesus and Jesus alone shine forth?

  -- Author Unknown 

Life Is ... 

To those who see with loving eyes, life is beautiful.
To those who speak with tender voices, life is
peaceful.
To those who help with gentle hands, life is full.
And to those who care with compassionate hearts,
life is good beyond all measure.

  -- Author Unknown

An Irish Friendship Wish 

  May there always be work for your hands to do;
  May your purse always hold a coin or two;
  May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
  May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
  May the hand of a friend always be near you;
  May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Tips for Better Living

When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives
there.

People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the
middle of the road, and the back of the church.

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on the
front door forever.

We're called to be witnesses, not lawyers or Judges.

God Himself doesn't propose to judge a man until he is
dead. So why should we?

Peace starts with a smile.

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

Don't put a question mark where God put a period.

Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the
called.

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

He who angers you, controls you!

If God is your Co-pilot, swap seats!

Prayer: Don't give God instructions; just report for
duty!

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power [of
God] behind us.

The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of
God will not protect you.

We don't change the message; the message changes us.

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to
discourage him/her.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1
cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

There is no greater treasure than a good friend!

    -- Author unknown

As You Think 

Golfer Arnold Palmer has won hundreds of trophies but
he never flaunts these. In his office is only one
trophy on display. It is a small cup he received at his
first professional win at the Canadian Open in 1955.

On his office wall is this lone framed plaque that
reads:

  If you think you are beaten, you are. 
  If you think you dare not, you don't. 
  If you'd like to win but think you can't, 
  it's almost certain you won't. 
  Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or
    faster man,
  But sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who
    thinks he can. 

Life's battles, challenges, successes and/or failures
are all fought, won or lost in the mind.

"Keep your heart with all diligence," said Solomon,
"for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23).

The heart in the Bible refers to the total mind: the
intellect, the will, and the emotions. And that's the
"mind" we need to guard with all diligence, and daily
commit and trust to God.

. The Greatest Man in History

"The Greatest man in history, Jesus, had no servants,
yet they called Him Master;
He had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher; 
He had no medicine, but was sought out for healing;
He had no army, yet kings feared Him; 
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world;

He committed no crime, but still was crucified, buried
in a tomb, yet HE LIVES TODAY!"

  -- Original Source Unknown

Remember

Remember the day I borrowed your brand new car and I
dented it?
I thought you'd kill me, but you didn't.
And remember the time I dragged you to the beach, and
you said it would rain, and it did?
I thought you'd say, "I told you so," but you didn't.
Do you remember the time I flirted with all the guys to
make you zealous, and you were?
I thought you'd leave me, but you didn't.
Do you remember the time I spilled strawberry pie all
over your car rug?
I thought you'd hit me, but you didn't.
And remember the time I forgot to tell you the dance
was formal, and you showed up in jeans?
I thought you'd drop me, but you didn't.
Yes, there were lots of things you didn't do,
But you put up with me, and you loved me, and you
protected me.
There were lots of things I wanted to make up to you
when you returned from Vietnam.
But you didn't.

        -- Author Unknown

How Great is our God! 

God's accuracy may be observed in the hatching of eggs.
For example: the eggs of the potato bug hatch in 7
days; those of the canary in 14 days; those of the
barnyard hen in 21 days; The eggs of ducks and geese
hatch in 28 days; those of the mallard in 35 days; the
eggs of the parrot and the ostrich hatch in 42 days.
(Notice, they are all divisible by seven, the number of
days in a week!)

God's wisdom is seen in the making of an elephant.

The four legs of this great beast all bend forward in
the same direction. No other quadruped is so made. God
planned that this animal would have a huge body, too
large to live on two legs. For this reason He gave it
four fulcrums so that it can rise from the ground
easily.

The horse rises from the ground on its two front legs
first. A cow rises from the ground with its two hind
legs first. How wise the Lord is in all His works of
creation!

God's wisdom is revealed in His arrangement of sections
and segments, as well as in the number of grains. 

Each watermelon has an even number of stripes on
the rind.
Each orange has an even number of segments.
Each ear of corn has an even number of rows.
Each stalk of wheat has an even number of grains.
Every bunch of bananas has on its lowest row an even
number of bananas, and each row decreases by one,
so that one row has an even number and the next
row an odd number.
All grains are found in even numbers on the stalks, and
the Lord specified thirty fold, sixty fold, and a
hundred fold--all even numbers.

The waves of the sea roll in on shore twenty-six to the
minute in all kinds of weather. 

God has caused the flowers to blossom at certain
specified times during the day. Linnaeus, the great
botanist, once said that if he had a conservatory
containing the right kind of soil, moisture and
temperature, he could tell the time of day or night by
the flowers that were open and those that were closed!

The lives of each of us may be ordered by God in a
beautiful way for His glory, if we commit and trust our
life to Him every day. Only the One Who made the brain
and the heart can successfully guide them to a
profitable end.

  -- Source Unknown