Get your day off to a great start week mornings
with Jon Ramer and Jill Fisher!
The following has recently been talked about on
the air and we wanted to share them with you.

Want to view some of the "classic gems" ?
You can view them here on our Morning Show Archive page..

precious children


Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."
*******

Teacher Debbie Moon's first graders were discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture had a different color hair than the other family members. One child suggested that he was adopted and a little girl said, "I know all about adoptions because I was adopted." "What does it mean to be adopted?" asked another child. "It means," said the girl, "that you grew in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy."
********

A four year old was at the pediatrician for a check up. As the doctor looked down her ears with an otoscope, he asked, "Do you think I'll find Big Bird in here?" The little girl stayed silent. Next, the doctor took a tongue depressor and looked down her throat. He asked, "Do you think I'll find the Cookie Monster down there?" Again, the little girl was silent. Then the doctor put a stethoscope to her chest. As he listened to her heart beat, he asked, "Do you think I'll hear Barney in there?" "Oh, no" the little girl replied. "Jesus is in my heart. Barney's on my socks."

Praying for Your Husband: Head to Toe
******* THANKS to RONNA for this one!!!!!


One of your most important duties as a wife is to pray for your husband. Make praying for him one of your daily priorities. Here are some ideas for praying for him, head to toe.

· Pray for his mind, that he will have the rich experience of knowing Christ with real certainty and clear understanding. (Col. 2:2-3)
· That he will take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5)
· Pray for his eyes that he may see life from God's perspective and be on the alert for spiritual danger. (2 Kings 6:17)
· Pray for his ears that he will hear God's voice giving him wisdom and direction. (Deut. 4:36, Psalm 78:1)
· When you think of his nose, pray that his life will be refreshing to others, and a life-giving perfume. (2 Cor. 2:15)
· Pray for his mouth that he will have great boldness in witnessing for God and that the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart will be acceptable to God. (Acts 4:29)
· Pray for his bones, that he will be healthy like a watered garden. (Isa. 58:11)
· Pray for his heart that he will be filled with God alone. And that God will Create in him a clean heart filled with pure thoughts and right desires. (James 4:8)
· Pray that he will trust God with all his heart and not lean on his own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
· Pray for his hands that he will pray with holy hands lifted to God, free from sin, anger and resentment. (I Tim. 2:8)
· Pray for his legs that he will walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Cor. 5:7)
· And for his feet that God will keep him from discouragement and set his feet on a firm path. (Psalm 40:2)

From the Lenten Devotional - Covenant United Methodist Church in Montgomery Village, MD


Read on the Morning Show on April 12. 2001.
From Charles Tracey:

Romans 5:8 - God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God has allowed me the privilege of seeing the world through His eyes and what I see grieves my Spirit. I am often brought to tears and compelled to speak out about what I see.

Let's take a moment to reflect on what is typical for so many, even those who profess Christ as their savior. There seems to be a race to have more and better thing. This race has become an obsession. Some have sacrificed God and family to enter the race. Children are being raised by cell phone, other people are viewed as a nuisance, God isn't in the picture, and our focus is on ourselves. What is the point? Christ did not die that we may drive the biggest vehicle or live in the best house. Christ never intended for us to live this way.

If we have accepted Christ as our savior, our live must change. Our Spirit will continue to be restless until we are living the lives God intended for His people. Then we will see through God's eyes and our lives will change. Our love for others will compel us to speak out, change our priorities and live each day for Christ.

Why spend your days chasing things that are not eternal? If you believe Christ is real and made the journey to the cross for you, then a life changing response is required. If you are not sure Christ is real, ask God to reveal Himself to you this Easter season. I know Christ died for me and He wants you to know He died for you.

What to do if you lose your purse or wallet:


1. Cancel your credit cards immediately. The key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know where to call. Keep these numbers handy to avoid additional stress you will not need!

2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen. This proves to credit providers that you were diligent, and is the first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

3. Here is the most important step. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and SS#.
The numbers are:
Equifax - 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW) - 1-800-301-7195
Trans Union - 1-800-680-7289

Be sure to keep a list of all your credit cards and the 800 number for reporting a lost or stolen card. Also keep your social security number somewhere you can get to it and find it quickly, other than your purse or wallet. If you are married, you might exchange lists with your spouse and have them keep your list in their wallet, and you can keep your spouse's in yours.

Things We've had Wrong all Along!


Things We've had Wrong all Along! 1) Aspirin has never actually been approved by the FDA. (It has never been rejected, either.)

The following are from a book from Deane Jordon:

2) In a real jungle, you cannot swing on vines. They're attached to the ground. Sorry, Tarzan

3) One does not get tetanus from a rusty nail. Tetanus, or lock-jaw, is a bacterial disease associated with manure-contaminated soil. It enters the body through any cut or bite.

4) Nearly a dozen and a half well-controlled studies show vitamin C has no effect on preventing the common cold. Neither do antihistamines.

5) Quicksand does not suck its victims down. In fact, one can float on quicksand. It is far more buoyant than water.

6) Plants do not grow toward the sun. In fact, the opposite is true. The sun reduces growth hormones on the sunny side of the plant, thus the plant actually grows on the sunny side of the plant and actually grows on the non-sunny side, causing it to bend toward the sun.

7) Only until recent times was north at the top of most maps. For several centuries, east was on top. Or shall we say, when the earth was flat, where the sun rose was the most important direction.

8) There is no such thing as sea level since the ocean is always moving, everywhere.

9) Autumn leaves actually do not turn color. They lose one color, green, and show other colors they've had all along. The change is also caused more by the shortening of the days than by cooler weather.

Tax breaks from tax expert Josephine Ruby.


1. Job Hunting Expenses. These are only deductible if you are seeking new employment in your current line of work. You may be able to save a bundle by including resume mailing costs, driving time and newspapers purchased for their help wanted ads.

2. Job Training. This deduction includes expenses for courses taken to improve work skills, and the associated costs of tuition, meals, transportation and supplies.

3. Moving expenses. This often-overlooked deduction, which can be worth $200 to $2,000, is available if you moved at least 50 miles to begin a new job.

4. Weather Damage. Out-of-pocket costs are not covered by insurance, like the deductible on homeowners insurance, are eligible for this write-off usually, worth about $250.

5. Charitable Donations. Make sure to tally the value of everything you have donated. Clothing, furniture, canned goods. Simply deduct the fair market value of the items.

6. Child Care Credit. This deduction allows working parents to get back part of day care and pre-school tuition costs. But is can also benefit taxpayers, shouldering the cost of caring for an elderly parent or some other dependent.

7. Medical Expenses. Since bills must add up to more than 7.5 percent of the Adjusted Gross Income you list on your return, plenty of people bypass the write-off.

For those wishing to call Union County school Board members and share their concerns regarding referrals for contraceptives and other services for students by school nurses, their numbers can be found here.

John Harrison visited the New Life Morning Show with Jon and Jill on March 7. He possibly has one of the best jobs in the world as a professional taste tester for Edy's Ice Cream. John showed Jon and Jill the proper way to taste Ice Cream. Here are some pictures from his visit.
Click on the thumbnail to see a larger photo.






Mark Schultz stopped by the Morning Show on March 8 before his concert later that night. Here are a couple of pictures with Jon and Jill and up and coming artist Ben Glover.



Giving up a son


After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and before he gave his sermon for the evening, briefly introduced a guest minister who was in the service that evening. In the introduction, the pastor told the congregation that the guest minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service.

With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak, "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized."

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service started, began looking somewhat interested in his story. The aged minister continued with his story, "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life ... to which boy he would throw the other end of the life line. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian and he also knew that his son's friend was not.

The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, 'I love you, son!' he threw out the life line to his son's friend. By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered." By this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old minister's mouth. "The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus, and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son to save the son's friend. How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us. Our heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten Son that we could be saved. I urge you to accept His offer to rescue you and take a hold of the life line He is throwing out to you in this service."

With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. The pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon with an invitation at the end. However, no one responded to the appeal. Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. "That was a nice story," politely started one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."

"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I'm standing here today to tell you that THAT story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me. You see...I was that father and your pastor is my son's friend."

The Littlest Firefighter


The year mother stared down at her son who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dreams to come true. She took her son's hand and asked, "Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life? "Mommy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up. Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true.

Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her 6 year old son a ride around the block on a fire engine. Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real hat. Not a toy one with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."

Three days later, Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his fire uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck.

Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in Heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedic's van and even the fire chief's car. He was also video taped for the local news program. Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.

One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the Hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a fireman, so she called the fire chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition. The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's just the fire department coming to see one of it's finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?.....Thanks."

About five minutes later, a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital, extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window and 16 firefighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him. With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?" "Billy, you are." the chief said. With those words, Billy smiled and closed his eyes one last time.

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. To handle yourself, use your head; To handle others, use your heart. Anger is only one letter short of danger. Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses much more; He who loses faith, loses all.

If I had my child to raise all over again...


I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd model less about the love of power, And more about the power of love.

CHRISTMAS TRADITION TRIVIA - FROM THE E-MAIL BAG!!


What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially that partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? Keep reading to find out.

From l558 until l829, Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning; the surface meaning, plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.

Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace. Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed

DR. SEUSS EXPLAINS WHY COMPUTERS CRASH
If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port, and the bus is interrupted at a
very last resort, and the access of the memory makes your floppy disk abort, then the socket packet pocket has an error to report.

If your cursor finds a menu item followed by a dash, and the double-clicking icon puts your window in the trash, and your data is corrupted cause the index
doesn't hash, then your situation's hopeless and your system's gonna crash!!

If the label on the cable on the table at your house says the network is
connected to the button on your mouse, but your packets want to tunnel to
another protocol, that's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall; then
you may as well reboot and go out with a bang, 'cuz sure as I'm a poet, the machine's gonna hang!

When the copy of your floppy's getting sloppy in the disk, and the macro code
instructions cause unnecessary risk, then you'll have to flash the memory and
you'll want to RAM your ROM. Quickly turn off the computer and be sure to tell your Mom!

You'll Find Jesus There
"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your heart..."
"You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.
The surgeon looked up, annoyed. "I'll cut your heart open," he continued, "to see how much damage has been done..."
"But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in there."
The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. "When I see how much damage has been done, I'll sew your heart and chest back up and I'll plan what to do next."
"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You'll find Him in my heart."
The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find in your heart. I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I'll find out if I can make you well."
"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."
The surgeon left. The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed-rest. Prognosis:," here he paused, "Death within one year."
He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said.
"Why?" he asked aloud. "Why did You do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this pain; and You've cursed him to an early death. Why?"
The Lord answered and said, "The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be. Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow."
The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. "You created that boy, and You created that heart. He'll be dead in months. Why?"
The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for he has done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb."
The surgeon wept.
The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat across from him.
The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?"
"Yes," said the surgeon.
"What did you find?" asked the boy.
"I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.

God Within Us
This is a story about a little girl who, on the way home from church, turned to her mother and said, "Mommy, the preacher's sermon this morning confused me."
The mother said, "Oh! Why is that?"
The girl replied, "Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. Is that true?"
"Yes, that's true," the mother replied.
"He also said that God lives within us. Is that true too?"
Again the mother replied, "Yes."
"Well," said the girl, "If God is bigger than us, and He lives in us, wouldn't He show through?"

The Central Verse
Thanks to Jeff Ericson from the Wingate Fire Department for this one!

1) Psalm 118 is the middle chapter of the entire bible.
2) Psalm 117, before Psalm 118 is the shortest chapter in the bible.
3) Psalm 119, after Psalm 118 is the longest chapter in the bible?
4) The Bible has 594 chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 chapters after Psalm 118.
5) If you add up all the chapters except Psalm 118, you get a total of 1188 chapters.
6) 1188 or Psalm 118 verse 8 is the middle verse of the entire bible? Should the central verse not have a fairly important message? "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." - Psalm 118:8
Is this central verse not also the central theme of the entire Bible?

Low Power FM Radio
What is "Low power FM radio", read the official government news release now.

What is the problem with LPFM...

Legislation for LPFM's clearance has past the house but has languished in the senate, it is here where we hope to make an impact. Bill S. 3020 and been introduced, not to ban LPFM's but to provide needed protections for existing FM radio stations like New Life 91.9 against low power interference.

Email senator Edwards today at Senator@edwards.senate.gov and tell to vote YES to bill S. 3020.

Donna Kane Interview
"We had a great interview with Donna Kane talking about car-buying secrets for women. She will be at the Southern Women's Show at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart September 21-24 holding seminars. She gave some great information, including some websites you can check out if you are researching to buy a new car: www.kbb.com, www.edmunds.com, www.autoconnect.com. You can also call toll free 800-633-5151 to obtain her FREE booklets, including the CAR-BUYING WORKBOOK, INTERNET CAR-BUYING TIPS, and TEST DRIVE TIPS."

The Room
FROM THE NEW LIFE MORNING SHOW E-MAIL BAG: Thanks to Amanda for this one!

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 endlessly 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 20 years to write 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 "Songs I have listened to," 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 music, but more by the vast amount of 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 mattered 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 the hurt 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.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Whose Hands
A basketball in my hands is worth about $19. A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.

It depends whose hands it's in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6. A baseball in Mark Mcguire hands is worth $19 million.

It depends whose hands it's in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands. A tennis racket in Pete Sampras' hands is a Wimbledon championship.

It depends whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal. A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.

It depends whose hands it's in.

A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy. A sling shot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.

It depends whose hands it's in.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches. Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands.

It depends whose hands it's in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse. Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world.

It depends whose hands it's in.

As you see now it depends whose hands it's in. So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God's hands because --

It depends whose hands it's in.

The pearls
One day when she and her mother were checking out at the grocery store, Jenny saw a plastic pearl necklace priced at $2.50. How she wanted that necklace, and when she asked her mother if she would buy it for her, her mother said, "Well, it is a pretty necklace, but it costs an awful lot of money. I'll tell you what. I'll buy you the necklace, and when we get home we can make up a list of chores that you can do to pay for the necklace. And don't forget that for your birthday Grandma just might give you a whole dollar bill, too. Okay?" Jenny agreed, and her mother bought the pearl necklace for her. Jenny worked on her chores very hard every day, and sure enough, her grandma gave her a brand new dollar bill for her birthday. Soon Jenny had paid off the pearls. How Jenny loved those pearls. She wore them everywhere - to kindergarten, bed and when she went out with her mother to run errands. The only time she didn't wear them was in the shower - her mother had told her that they would turn her neck green! Now Jenny had a very loving daddy. When Jenny went to bed, he would get up from his favorite chair every night and read Jenny her favorite story. One night when he finished the story, he said, "Jenny, do you love me?" "Oh yes, Daddy, you know I love you," the little girl said. "Well, then, give me your pearls." "Oh! Daddy, not my pearls!" Jenny said. "But you can have Rosie, my favorite doll. Remember her? You gave her to me last year for my birthday. And you can have her tea party outfit, too. Okay?" "Oh no, darling, that's okay." Her father brushed her cheek with a kiss. "Good night, little one." A week later, her father once again asked Jenny after her story, "Do you love me?" "Oh yes, Daddy, you know I love you." "Well, then, give me your pearls." "Oh, Daddy, not my pearls! But you can have Ribbons, my toy horse. Do you remember her? She's my favorite. Her hair is so soft, and you can play with it and braid it and everything. You can have Ribbons if you want her, Daddy," the little girl said to her father. "No, that's okay," her father said and brushed her cheek again with a kiss. "God bless you, little one. Sweet dreams." Several days later, when Jenny's father came in to read her a story, Jenny was sitting on her bed and her lip was trembling. Here, Daddy," she said, and held out her hand. She opened it and her beloved pearl necklace was inside. She let it slip into her father's hand. With one hand her father held the plastic pearls and with the other he pulled out of his pocket a blue velvet box. Inside of the box were real, genuine, beautiful pearls. He had them all along. He was waiting for Jenny to give up the cheap stuff so he could give her the real thing. So it is with our heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so he can give us beautiful treasure. Isn't God good?

Real Bloopers From Real Resumes:
"I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse."
"I am a rabid typist."
"Created a new market for pigs by processing, advertising and selling a gourmet pig mail order service on the side."
"Exposure to German for two years, but many words are not appropriate for business."
"Personal interests: Donating blood. 15 gallons so far."
"I have become completely paranoid, trusting completely nothing and absolutely no one."
"References: None, I've left a path of destruction behind me."
"Don't take the comments of my former employer too seriously, they were unappreciative beggars and slave drivers."
"Extensive background in accounting. I can also stand on my head!"
"My intensity and focus are at inordinately high levels, and my ability to complete projects on time is unspeakable."
"Education: Curses in liberal arts, curses in computer science, curses in accounting."
"Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store."
"Personal: Married, 1992 Chevrolet."

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
Interesting Stuff - may you not experience all of these. :)
That you'll receive a new identity under the Federal Witness Protection Program. 1 in 20,000.
That a dream you have will be a nightmare. 1 in 1,500.
That your home will catch fire this year. 1 in 160.
That your next meal will come from McDonald's. 1 in 8.
That you'll start a diet this year. 1 in 5.
That you'll have an allergic reaction to a food additive. 1 in 1,000.
That you'll have surgery requiring a hospital stay. 1 in 12.
That a falling plane will hit you. 1 in 25-million.
That your doctor will be sued for malpractice. 1 in 50.
That a snake will bite you. 1 in 40,000.