We Are Not All His
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Posted:Aug 15, 2008 9:39 am
Last Updated:Dec 19, 2009 3:52 pm 9000 Views
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Hey everyone, haven't been here in a while and I was just re-reading a post I had made back in March on a Bible study site and wanted to share it with everyone here. Hope all of you are doing well.
March 30, 2008
Have you ever gotten to a point in your thought process where you wonder how you got there and, tracing your way, step by step, you go back through to find where you started? That is what happened to me as I lay, trying to go to sleep last night. And having gone back over that thought process, I decided that I wanted to get it down and find some way to share what I had deduced in my wonderings.
It all began with something someone had said to me recently, don’t ask me why that particular statement came to mind as I did not get past it in my trace backwards. The comment was something like "We are all God’s ". Being a music lover from a young age that one comment brought to mind an old song, I believe it was by Ray Stevens, that contained this particular phrase. It went something like this:
"You know we’re all God’s ,
His next of Kin."
Suddenly the thought struck me that, NO, WE ARE NOT ALL HIS . We are all His creation, but not all of us are His . For John 1:12 tells us, "But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become of God, even to them that believe on his name:". And that Him that was received and in whose name they believed upon was none other than Jesus Christ, the only begotten of God.
But what was it about this man that must be received by one in order to be given the right to become the of God? And why must one believe upon His name? This then became the direction that my thoughts took me.
I realized that many had argued that God is not a respecter of persons, quoting the Bible itself in order to muddy the waters and make what is plain, unclear. But as usual, these folks have taken only what they wish and left the rest for the very next verse changes the entire perspective of the first. Acts 10:34-35 "And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him."
It is true that God is not a respecter of persons, in that He does not "see" race, gender, social standing and what have you. Galatians 3:28 "There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus." But, as this verse points out, there is one thing that He does see, Christ.
As Easter has just passed us by my thoughts then turned to this man called Christ. I began to think of what His death on the cross meant to me and millions of other Christians throughout the world, throughout the ages. I thought about the price that He paid, the ransom, for my soul.
My mind wandered around thinking about all the different gimmicks that man has come up with to make folks believe that they can "do it themselves". Get into Heaven that is. But no one could say enough prayers or chant enough chants even if they did so 10, 20 even 30 times a day every day of their lives to every so-called saint there is. They could not do enough good deeds were they to be reincarnated and lived100, 200, 300 lives. They could not give enough though they had 1000, 2000, 3000 times the wealth of King Solomon himself, the wealthiest man to ever live, its said.
For we are told in Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." The price for the removal of the stain of sin from our souls is death, not just the physical death of our bodies but the eternal death of separation from God, our creator.
BUT WAIT A MINUTE! WHAT WAS THAT I JUST THOUGHT? I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT I NEVER REALIZED THIS BEFORE! LET ME THINK THIS THROUGH!
How many times in my life have I thought about how much of a man Jesus was? How many times have I told men that I have known that it was all right to cry because Jesus cried and if He wasn’t a man then no one was? How many times have I pointed out to some man that Jesus wept over the condition of mankind yet not one word is mentioned of His having made a sound throughout the entire time that He was being tortured and killed? Not a peep from Him despite the horribly cruel physical torment He endured.
So much emphasis is place on this physical death that Christ died for the sins of mankind. For the blood He shed that covers the stain of sin in our lives and washes us clean. And I am not in any way attempting to minimize the importance of that death and that shed blood.
But there was that one time that Jesus did cry out, in anguish, wasn’t there? How dreadful the pain must have been to make Him do so. I cannot begin to imagine a pain more intense than that which He had already suffered and yet, here it is, for it was enough finally to make this man of men cry out.
Consider that God is so holy that He cannot look upon sin. And that on the cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ bore the sins of all mankind. For the first time ever, the link between God the Father and God the was broken. And the pain of that separation was greater even than the physical pain that Christ had already endured. So painful in fact that He cried out at the immensity of it. This was the spiritual death, the separation from God. Jesus Christ paid that price as well, for those who would accept Him and His gift of love.
It does not bear thinking of how horrible this pain will be, when suffered for eternity by those who refuse Him.
How grateful I am to be one of God’s .
Are you?
Cecilia
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An E-Mail From My Niece
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Posted:Jan 22, 2008 12:19 pm
Last Updated:Feb 6, 2008 12:07 am 8662 Views
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I just wanted to share an e-mail that I received from my niece today. It is so beautiful and so appropriate. I have had a hectic couple of weeks what with the death of my sister and the surgery on my foot. But God is in His Heaven and He is so good. And I know that all things work together for the good of those who love Him.
Hello to each of you, I hope this finds you all doing well. We are all doing ok. Still having my moments but one day at a time. I was reading some poems on line and found this one. The authors' name is Red and for a very long time that was Mom's initials. It could not say things any clearer than it does. So read it and know that this is what Mom would have said. Love to all.
TOMORROW
Author: Red
When Tomorrow starts without me
And I'm not here to see
If the sun should rise and find you eyes
All filled with tears for me
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today
WHile thinking of the many things
We didn't get to say
I know how much you love me
As much as I love you
And each time that you think of me
I know you'll miss me too
But when tomorrow starts without me
Please try to understand
That an angel came and called my name
And took me by the hand
And said my place was ready In heaven far above
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love
But when I walked through heaven's gates
I felt so much at home When
God looked down and smiled at me
From his great golden throne He said
"This is eternity and all I've promised you"
Today for life on earth is past
But here it starts a new
I promise no tomorrow
For today will always last
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past
So when tomorrow starts without me
Don't think we're far apart
For every time you think of me
I'm right here in your heart
Missy
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Prayer Request
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Posted:Jan 7, 2008 8:42 am
Last Updated:Feb 6, 2008 12:10 am 8973 Views
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As some of you may know, my sister passed away early Sunday morning. She had been extremely ill for the past two years and now is with our Lord beyond all pain and suffering.
I ask you to please keep our family in your prayers, especially her two , Missy and Cecil, her grandchildren, and my mother.
Both of her are taking it very hard and one of her grandsons, who was very close to her, is holding everything in.
Her , who works in Afghanistan, just happened to be at home when she passed. I believe that this was God's planning, as He knew that both of the would need one another when she was taken.
This is the first of my siblings to go, so it is also very hard on my mother. She never thought that she would live longer than one of her .
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A Keeper
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Posted:Jan 6, 2008 10:05 am
Last Updated:Jan 6, 2008 12:23 pm 8409 Views
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I received this some while back, several years ago in fact, from my precious niece, who is like a to me. Her mom, my sister, passed away early this morning and for some reason I thought about this e-mail. My sister was not one to accumulate material things. Like the folks in this story, she lived simply, keeping only those things that were most valuable to her.
I grew up with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a Name for it ... A father who was happier
getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.
Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress Things we keep.
It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.
But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.
Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return. So... while we have it... it's best we love it.... and care for it... and fix it when it's broken...... and heal it when it's sick.
This is true. for marriage..... and old cars.... and with bad report cards..... and dogs with bad hips.... and aging parents..... and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth
it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.
There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special..... and so, we keep them close!
I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper', so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way.. Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are "keepers" in your life. Good friends are like
stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Keep them close!
TEN THINGS GOD WON'T ASK ON THAT DAY.
1... God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
2... God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3... God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
4... God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5... God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6... God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
7... God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
8... God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.
9... God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation. He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.
10... God won't have to ask how many people you forwarded this to, He already knows whether or not you are ashamed to share this information with your friends.
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The File Room
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Posted:Jan 5, 2008 8:33 pm
Last Updated:Apr 25, 2024 4:48 am 8278 Views
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Although I got this originally in 2005 some stories are ageless and bear repeating.
As you read this story please put yourself in Brian's place; it will change your life!
1 7-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed 'em," he later
told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote." It also was the last.
Brian's parents had forgotten about the essay when a cousin found it while cleaning out the 's locker at TearyValleyHigh School.
Brian had been dead only hours, but his parents desperately wanted every piece of his life near them-notes from classmates and teachers, his
homework.
Only two months before, he had handwritten the essay about encountering Jesus in a file room full of cards detailing every moment of the 's life. But it was only after Brian's death that Beth and Bruce Moore realized that their had described his view of heaven. "It makes such an impact that people want to share it. You feel like you are there." Mr. Moore said.
Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in PickawayCounty and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.
The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I
think we were meant to find it and make something out of it," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their 's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for
Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him."
Brian's Essay: The Room...
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall
covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order.
But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names
written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.
This lifeless room with its small files was a
crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and
small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly
opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would
look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.
A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.
Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived.
Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this
truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test
its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.
I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever
see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I
yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter
now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card.
I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.
And then I saw it.. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost
unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on
one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.
No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to
watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.
He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He
looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to
cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the
cards.
I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back
to my side.
He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There
were still cards to be written.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." "For God so loved the world that He gave His only , that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
If you feel the same way forward it to as many people as you can so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also. My "People I shared the gospel with" file just got bigger, how about yours?
IF THERE IS ONE EMAIL THAT I HAVE READ THAT NEEDS TO GO AROUND THE WORLD, IT IS THIS ONE, PLEASE PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW, CHRISTIAN
OR NOT! "LET'S FILL OUR OWN FILE CARD" AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
You don't have to share this with anybody, no one will know whether you did or not, but you will know and so will He.
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Men And Women
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Posted:Jan 5, 2008 8:03 pm
Last Updated:Jan 6, 2008 10:05 am 8519 Views
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God made men and women to complement each other with the unique traits each were given......
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WOMEN
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Women have strengths that amaze men.
They carry ,
they carry hardships,
they carry burdens,
yet they hold happiness,love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are
happy and laugh when they are nervous.
Women wait by the phone for a
"safe at home call" from a friend,
after a snowy drive home.
They are
childcare workers, executives, attorneys,
stay-at-home moms, biker babes,
and your neighbors.
They wear suits, jeans and uniforms.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up against injustice.
They walk and talk the extra mile
to get their into the right schools
and to get their family the right health care.
They go to the doctor
with a frightened friend.
Women are honest, loyal and forgiving.
They are smart,
they know that knowledge is power,
but they still know how to use their softer side to make a point.
Women want to be the best for their family, their friends, and themselves.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They have sorrow at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong
when they think there is no strength left.
A woman can make a romantic evening unforgettable.
Women come in all sizes,
in all colors and shapes.
They live in houses, apartments, and cabins.
They drive, fly, walk, run, or email you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman
is what makes the world spin.
Women do more than just give birth.
They bring joy and hope.
They give compassion and ideals.
They give moral support
to their family and friends.
And all they want in return
is a hug, a smile,
and for you to do the same
for people you come in contact with.
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MEN
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Men are good at lifting heavy stuff and killing bugs.
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The Facts
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Posted:Jan 1, 2008 3:24 pm
Last Updated:Jan 2, 2008 2:28 pm 8925 Views
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This, of course, is old as I recieved it several years ago in an e-mail. But the facts remain the same..
Learn these facts to properly debate our poor misguided friends & family before election time !!!
There were 39 combat related killings in Iraq during the month of January.....
In the fair city of Detroit there were 35 murders in the month of January.
That's just one American city, about as deadly as the entire war torn country of Iraq.
When some claim President Bush shouldn't have started this war, state the following ...
FDR...
led us into World War II. Germany never attacked us: Japan did. From 1941-1945, 450,000 lives were lost, an average of 112,500 per year.
Truman...
finished that war and started one in Korea, North Korea never attacked us. From 1950-1953, 55,000 lives were lost, an average of 18,334 per year.
John F. Kennedy...
started the Vietnam conflict in 1962. Vietnam never attacked us.
Johnson...
turned Vietnam into a quagmire. From 1965-1975, 58,000 lives were lost, an average of 5,800 per year.
Clinton...
went to war in Bosnia without UN or French consent, Bosnia never attacked us. He was offered Osama bin Laden's head on a platter three times by Sudan and did nothing. Osama has attacked us on multiple occasions.
In the two years since terrorists attacked us President Bush has ...
liberated two countries,
crushed the Taliban,
crippled al-Qaida,
put nuclear inspectors in Libya,
Iran and North Korea
without firing a shot,
and captured a terrorist who slaughtered
300,000 of his own people.
The Democrats are complaining about how long the war is taking, but...
It took less time to take Iraq
than it took Janet Reno to take the Branch Davidian compound. That was a 51 day operation.
We've been looking for evidence of chemical weapons in Iraq for less time than it took Hillary Clinton to find the Rose Law Firm billing records.
It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines to destroy the Medina
Republican Guard than it took Ted Kennedy to call the police after his Oldsmobile sank at Chappaquiddick.
It took less time to take Iraq than it took to count the votes in Florida!!!!
Our Commander-In-Chief is doing a GREAT JOB!
The Military moral is high!
The biased media hopes we are too ignorant to realize the facts
A new year has arrived and with it comes a time of choices for the people of the United States. As a Christian I feel it is vital for all Christians to unite, take a stand and let our voices be heard. We have stood in the shadows for too long. We have sat quietly while our rights, our freedoms, our beliefs, our faith have suffered mortal wounds by the enemy. We must take our heads out of the sand, before it is too late.
It is my prayer that my brothers and sisters here will join with me this year by becoming active politically, pay attention to what the candidates have to say, be ever vigilant and prayerful about what God's will is concerning the coming elections, ask His guidance in who you should vote for, for every single office you have the opportunity to vote on, be it the city manager of your home town, the mayor, govenor, senator, congressman/woman and of course president. Then make certain that you do all in your power to promote the person that God tells you He wants in that office. And make absolutely certain that you VOTE
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Prayer Needed
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Posted:Dec 31, 2007 2:29 pm
Last Updated:Jan 1, 2008 7:44 am 8893 Views
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My friend that I told you all about earlier, the one who has joined BC, is having to move. Like me and others here, he is getting the run around from the housing authority. First they told him he would have to move into one apartment before the 20th of Dec. Now they say he can move into a cheaper apartment but they don't know when it will be ready. He had already started moving into the first when he found out about the second.
The problem lies in the fact that I am the only person around to help him get moved and I am having surgery on the 9th of this month which will have me out of commission for quite some time and leave him with no help.
Please, everyone, pray that the Lord will move in this situation so that the apartment will be available in the next few days so that I can help him before I have to have my surgery.
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Asking Why
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Posted:Dec 30, 2007 5:50 pm
Last Updated:Apr 25, 2024 4:48 am 8331 Views
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A mother asked President Bush, "Why did my have to die in Iraq ?"
Another mother asked President Kennedy, "Why did my have to die in Viet Nam ?"
Another mother asked President Truman, "Why did my have to die in Korea ?"
Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt, "Why did my have to die at Iwo Jima ?"
Another mother asked President W. Wilson, "Why did my have to die on the battlefield of France ?"
Yet another mother asked President Lincoln, "Why did my have to die at Gettysburg ?"
And yet another mother asked President G. Washington, "Why did my have to die near Valley Forge ?"
Then long, long ago, a mother asked... "Heavenly Father, why did my have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem ?" The answers to all these are similar -- "So that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness and freedom."
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100%
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Posted:Dec 30, 2007 5:43 pm
Last Updated:Dec 31, 2007 8:26 am 8551 Views
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I just got this in an email and thought I would share it with you all:
What Equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 101%? What equals 100% in life? Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these Questions:
If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
And
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5 +4+7+5 = 96%
But, A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%
AND, look how far the love of God will take you
L- O- V- E- O- F- G- O- D
12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101%
Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that: While hard work and knowledge will get you close, and attitude will get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!
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