12 Rules of Life

"Sometimes we just need to remember what the 12 Rules of Life really are."
1. Never give yourself a haircut after three margaritas.
2. You need only two tools: WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn't, use the duct tape.
3. The five most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship are "I apologize" and "you are right."
4. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
5. Never pass up an opportunity to pee.
6. If he/she says that you are too good for him/her - believe them.
7. Learn to pick your battles; ask yourself, "Will this matter one year from now? How about one month? One week? One day?"
8. When you make a mistake, make amends immediately. It's easier to eat crow while it's still warm.
9. If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance!
10. Living well really is the best revenge. Being miserable because of a bad or former relationship just might mean that the other person was right about you.
11. Work is good, but it's not that important. Money is nice, but you can't take it with you.
12. And finally... Be really good to your family and/or friends. You never know when you are going to need them to empty your bedpan.

His Children

I heard a good analogy of belonging to Christ the other day and thought I would share it with you.

You have two children and they are outside playing with two other children. Your kids are being little monsters. They are getting dirty and they don't always play fair.

The neighbour kids are angels. They do everything right. They are polite, they share and they keep themselves clean and tidy.

When the day is done, and you call the children home, do you take your own kids home or the neighbour kids?

Of course you take your own home.

The neighbour kids are just about perfect in everything that they do, but they are not yours by birth.

Your children with all their weaknesses are yours by birth and you love them no matter what.

That is how Christ sees the world. There are alot of very good people out there that do very good things in the world, but if they are not His by their "re-birth" He can't take them Home with Him

Lesson From A Cherokee

" Lesson from a Cherokee "An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life."A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather,"Which wolf will win?"The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Ann Weems Poetry

This is some poetry I found by Ann Weems. She is the wife of a Presbryterian minister and lost her son to murder the day after his 21st birthday. I can't find the title to the first one.

In the godforsaken, obscene quicksand of life,
there is a deafening alleluia
rising from the soulsof those who weep,
and of those who weep with those who weep.
If you watch, you will see
the hand of God
putting the stars back in their skies
one by one
Yesterday's Pain
Some of us walk in Advent
tethered to our unresolved yesterdays
the pain still stabbing
the hurt still throbbing.
It's not that we don't know better;
it's just that we can't stand up anymore by ourselves.
On the way of Bethlehem, will you give us a hand?

Not celebrate?
Your burden is too great to bear?
Your loneliness is intensified during this Christmas season?
Your tears have no end?
Not celebrate?
You should lead the celebration!
You should run through the streets
to ring the bells and sing the loudest!
You should fling the tinsel on the tree,
and open your house to your neighbors, and call them in to dance!
For it is you above all others who know the joy of Advent.
It is unto you that a Savior is born this day,
One who comes to lift your burden from your shoulders,
One who comes to wipe the tears from your eyes.
You are not alone,
for He is born this day to you.