he first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.
I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being..
She said, 'Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?'
I laughed and enthusiastically responded, 'Of course you may!' and she gave me a giant squeeze..
'Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?' I asked.
She jokingly replied, 'I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids...'
'No seriously,' I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.
'I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!' she told me.
After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.
We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this 'time machine' as she shared her wisdom and experience with me..
Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.
At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.
Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, 'I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.'
As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, ' We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.
There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.
We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!
There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.
If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.
Anybody! Can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.
The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets..'
She concluded her speech by courageously singing 'The Rose.'
She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those months ago.
One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.
Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.
REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL. We make a Living by what we get. We make a Life by what we give.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
What would you do
I received this from my mom today and the statement is makes is very insightful.
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.
'I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him...They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him...
He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.' They really should get lives'
He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!' There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.
I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday! ' He just laughed and handed me half the books.
Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.
Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak. Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!' He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.... ' Thanks,' he said.
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began...
'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends.... am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.
I am going to tell you a story.' I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the first day we met.
He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. 'Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.' I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.
Not until that moment did I realize it's depth. Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.
Look for God in others.
'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.'
There is no beginning or end.. Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift.
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.
'I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him...They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him...
He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.' They really should get lives'
He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!' There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.
I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday! ' He just laughed and handed me half the books.
Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.
Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak. Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!' He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.... ' Thanks,' he said.
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began...
'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends.... am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.
I am going to tell you a story.' I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the first day we met.
He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. 'Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.' I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.
Not until that moment did I realize it's depth. Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.
Look for God in others.
'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.'
There is no beginning or end.. Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift.
Friday, December 31, 2010
What a Lady
What a Lady
Thursday we physically laid to rest my Grandma born February 11 1921 she past from this life to a life in eternity with the Lord on December 27 2010. She was a lady of many accomplishments one was her family she had 1 daughter 5 grandchildren 12 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren and many nieces , nephews, cousins and friends.
She lived life large never on the sidelines always wanted to be in the game. I can't every remember a time that if you needed her she was not willing to help you out wither it was taking care of you kids helping you through an illness or being a copilot on a trip. Nothing was to small or large for her. She had a very interesting hobby of hand quilting quilts she wanted every occasion to be marked in life wither it was your wedding or the birth of your child every quilt had a story or a reason some were just because she was bored.
Later in life she liked to take trips it didn't matter where to all you needed to do was call her up and say do you want to go and she say yes when will you be here she didn't need time to get ready she always had a bag packed and was ready to go. She was always up for an adventure.
My grandma's family was second only to her faith in Jesus Christ. As much as she loved her family she loved the Lord more. Grandma lived a life that reflected Jesus Christ everyday she showed you what it meant to have unconditional love. Most of all grandma lived out
1 Corinthians 13 4-7
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I will always remember grandma's unconditional love and her since of humor even if it was sometimes twisted. she showed this even in death she planned her funeral right down to what she was going to wear her pajama's she wanted us to know that she is not died that she is just asleep here on earth and alive in eternity with Jesus Christ waiting for the day she will see us again. This is a poem that was read at her funeral that she had heard and I think this was the last message she wanted us to hear
Miss Me – But Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little – but not too long.
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared.
Miss me-But let me go,
For this is a journey we must all take,
And each must go alone.
It’s all part of the Master’s plan,
a step on the road to home.
“ Miss me – But Let Me Go…”
Author Unknown
We laid grandma's physical body to rest in a cemetery named Internal Order of Odd Fellows how funny is that. Grandma was an odd fellow in this world because she put others first she was a true servant of the Lord if that is an odd fellow sign me up. I will miss her so much and long for the day I will see her again. I know I will see her again because I know the same Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ that she knew so I didn't have to say goodbye just see you later.
Thursday we physically laid to rest my Grandma born February 11 1921 she past from this life to a life in eternity with the Lord on December 27 2010. She was a lady of many accomplishments one was her family she had 1 daughter 5 grandchildren 12 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren and many nieces , nephews, cousins and friends.
She lived life large never on the sidelines always wanted to be in the game. I can't every remember a time that if you needed her she was not willing to help you out wither it was taking care of you kids helping you through an illness or being a copilot on a trip. Nothing was to small or large for her. She had a very interesting hobby of hand quilting quilts she wanted every occasion to be marked in life wither it was your wedding or the birth of your child every quilt had a story or a reason some were just because she was bored.
Later in life she liked to take trips it didn't matter where to all you needed to do was call her up and say do you want to go and she say yes when will you be here she didn't need time to get ready she always had a bag packed and was ready to go. She was always up for an adventure.
My grandma's family was second only to her faith in Jesus Christ. As much as she loved her family she loved the Lord more. Grandma lived a life that reflected Jesus Christ everyday she showed you what it meant to have unconditional love. Most of all grandma lived out
1 Corinthians 13 4-7
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I will always remember grandma's unconditional love and her since of humor even if it was sometimes twisted. she showed this even in death she planned her funeral right down to what she was going to wear her pajama's she wanted us to know that she is not died that she is just asleep here on earth and alive in eternity with Jesus Christ waiting for the day she will see us again. This is a poem that was read at her funeral that she had heard and I think this was the last message she wanted us to hear
Miss Me – But Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little – but not too long.
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared.
Miss me-But let me go,
For this is a journey we must all take,
And each must go alone.
It’s all part of the Master’s plan,
a step on the road to home.
“ Miss me – But Let Me Go…”
Author Unknown
We laid grandma's physical body to rest in a cemetery named Internal Order of Odd Fellows how funny is that. Grandma was an odd fellow in this world because she put others first she was a true servant of the Lord if that is an odd fellow sign me up. I will miss her so much and long for the day I will see her again. I know I will see her again because I know the same Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ that she knew so I didn't have to say goodbye just see you later.
Monday, December 27, 2010
A Godly women remembered
Today is the last day my Grandma had on this earth which will be a very sad day for us however, it is the first day for her in the presents of the Lord which is what she has lived for. Grandma would have been 90 years old this February and in her 90 years she has touched many people. Today she see the fulfillment of Psalm 23
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
During her life see saw times of hardship and times of celebration most recently she had walked through the valley of the shadow of death but today she dwells in the house of the Lord forever. Although it is hard to find joy in this because of my selfishness of wanting her around here forever it is comforting to know that today she has no more pain or suffering.
She has left a great legacy she worked hard and overcame many hardships all while not waving in her confidence in the Lord. She finish the race as strong as she could. During the last year you could tell she was ready for the Lord to take her home. As my family begins to make our way to Kentucky to honor this amazing women and her life we will look for our comfort in the Lord and rejoice in the knowledge that today she is with the Lord reunited with those that have gone on before her.
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
During her life see saw times of hardship and times of celebration most recently she had walked through the valley of the shadow of death but today she dwells in the house of the Lord forever. Although it is hard to find joy in this because of my selfishness of wanting her around here forever it is comforting to know that today she has no more pain or suffering.
She has left a great legacy she worked hard and overcame many hardships all while not waving in her confidence in the Lord. She finish the race as strong as she could. During the last year you could tell she was ready for the Lord to take her home. As my family begins to make our way to Kentucky to honor this amazing women and her life we will look for our comfort in the Lord and rejoice in the knowledge that today she is with the Lord reunited with those that have gone on before her.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
So Loved
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What an amazing foundation to build a life.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.
What a great promise.
In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
What a loving sacrifice
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
What a conqueror
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
I'm so loved and you can be to
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What an amazing foundation to build a life.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.
What a great promise.
In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
What a loving sacrifice
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
What a conqueror
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
I'm so loved and you can be to
Friday, June 25, 2010
Fathers
No I didn't forget about you. Fathers have a big responsibility to the family they are the General in times of war, they are the Senator that makes the laws that guide the family, they are the CEO of the family, and they are the Pastor of the family. I can not express how important it is that his Commander in Chief be Jesus Christ. Without Jesus Christ leading you wars will be lost, families will be in disarray and collapse with no direction. So Fathers step up to the plate and take on your calling but do not be discouraged God does not call the equipped He equips those He calls. Depend on Him as your Commander in Chief his has been there done that and is perfect. If you every question His ability to lead just look at what He has made the morning sun in just the right place so we don't burn up, a babies first breath in life, the fact this earth is even still rotating regardless of what we do or don't do, I think the evidence is overwhelming that He is able and willing to lead you though anything you bring to him. We love and appreciate you even if we don't always tell you.
Lemons or Lemonade you choose
Life is funny it can provide you with tons of lemons and as hard as you try you can not make lemonade that is just right. However God can take those same lemons and make the perfect lemonade. Ok your reading this and are questioning my sanity here is what I was thinking about life has been hard many disappointment many challenges and nothing I do in my own strength will make it better it maybe even makes it worse. I'm so thankful that God has open my eyes and given me the gift to be his child and I don't have to do this life alone. I have a heavenly Father that I can take my disappointment, trials, and challenges to daily and he will use them for his glory. Do I come through it unhurt not always but I do come through it more refined more like Christ. I have not had one thing in my life that I have come through that I haven't been able to look back and say where was God.
If you are reading this and have not experience this amazing comfort or if you have a friend that is not experiencing this comfort that God provides contact me I would like to share what an awesome God I have.
If you are reading this and have not experience this amazing comfort or if you have a friend that is not experiencing this comfort that God provides contact me I would like to share what an awesome God I have.
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