Net Miles Of Smiles

A young blonde was on vacation in the depths of Louisiana. She wanted a pair of genuine alligator shoes in the worst way, but was very reluctant to pay the high prices the local vendors were asking.

After becoming very frustrated with the “no haggle” attitude of one of the shopkeepers, the blonde shouted, “Maybe I’ll just go out and catch my own alligator so I can get a pair of shoes at a reasonable price!”

The shopkeeper said, “By all means, be my guest. Maybe you’ll luck out and catch yourself a big one!” Determined, the blonde turned and headed for the swamps, set on catching herself an alligator.

Later in the day, the shopkeeper is driving home, when he spots the young woman standing waist deep in the water, shotgun in hand.

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Comments (0) Jul 21 2008

Holding Hands

While at the mall, I saw an elderly couple holding
hands while they were walking. As they approached,
I commented on how romantic it was.

He replied, “We have been holding hands when we
go out in public for over thirty years. I have to. If I
let go, she shops.”

- from Pastor Tim

Comments (0) Jul 21 2008

Conquered Foes

A story is told about Sin and Death. On the Friday night after Jesus was crucified, Sin came running into the garden where the body of Jesus had been laid in the tomb. Sin cried out, “Death, do you really have Him?”

Death called back from within the tomb, “Yes, Sin, I really have Him. I’ve got my hand on Him. My shroud is around His body.” Sin left.

On Saturday night, Sin went back to the garden and called out to Death inside the tomb, “Do you still have Him? The word is out that He’s going to rise again after three days.” Death replied, “Go home. I’ve got it under control. My hands are on Him, and the stone’s in place. He’s not going anywhere!”

Sin left, but the next day he was back. He found the stone rolled away and Death sitting in the tomb, his head in his hands. “What happened?” Sin asked. “Where is He?” Death said, “Something began to move around in that tomb. Suddenly that stone catapulted from the door, the angels of God filled the space, and Jesus shook me off and rose up out of that shroud, whole, well, and alive!”

“Did He say anything?” Sin asked.

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Comments (0) Jul 21 2008

One day a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his
car, and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told
him, “I always park there. You took my place!”

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and
sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, “You
took my place.”

The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said
nothing. After Sunday school, the visitor went into the church
sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said,
“That’s where I always sit. You took my place!”

The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said
nothing.

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Inmate Mitchell King had a visitor - his wife. King was serving a six-year jail term in Auckland, New Zealand for armed robbery. But his wife didn’t want to be away from him for that long. So they held hands. And they stuck. She’d rubbed her palms with Super Glue.

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Their new-found closeness was short-lived. And their separation painful. Her technique is not one I’d recommend for a closer relationship.

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But if you want more closeness; if you desire relationships that are deeper and broader, more meaningful and longer-lasting, then remember the word “travel.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

T is for TRUST. Trust is the glue that holds people together (not Super Glue). A relationship will go nowhere without it.

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R is for RESPECT. “Do not save your loving speeches for your friends till they are dead; do not write them on their tombstones, speak them rather now instead,” writes Anna Cummins. It’s about respecting others and letting them know that you value them.

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A is for AFFECTION. Sometimes affection means love. Sometimes it means a touch. Always it means kindness.

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V is for VULNERABILITY. Though we may feel afraid to let another too close, no relationship will go anywhere without risking vulnerability. Entrepreneur Jim Rohn says, “The walls we build

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“How do you account for your remarkable accomplishment in life?” Queen Victoria of England asked Helen Keller. “How do you explain the fact that even though you were both blind and deaf, you were able to accomplish so much?”

Ms. Keller’s answer is a tribute to her dedicated teacher. “If it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown.”

According to speaker Zig Ziglar, “Little Annie” Sullivan, as she was called when she was young, was no stranger to hardship. She was almost sightless herself (due to a childhood fever) and was, at one time, diagnosed as hopelessly “insane” by her caregivers. She was locked in the basement of a mental institution outside of Boston. On occasion, Little Annie would violently attack anyone who came near. Most of the time she generally ignored everyone in her presence.

An elderly nurse believed there was hope, however, and she made it her mission to show love to the child. Every day she visited Little Annie. For the most part, the child did not acknowledge the nurse’s presence, but she still continued to visit. The kindly woman left cookies for her and spoke words of love and encouragement. She believed Little Annie could recover, if only she were shown love.

Eventually, doctors noticed a change in the girl. Where they once witnessed anger and hostility, they now noted an emerging gentleness and love. They moved her upstairs where she continued to improve. Then the day finally came when this seemingly “hopeless” child was released.

Anne Sullivan grew into a young woman with a desire to help others as she, herself, was helped by the kindly nurse. It was she who saw the great potential in Helen Keller. She loved her, disciplined her, played with her, pushed her and worked with her until the flickering candle that was her life became a beacon of light to the world. Anne Sullivan worked wonders in Helen’s life; but it was a loving nurse who first believed in Little Annie and lovingly transformed an uncommunicative child into a compassionate teacher.

“If it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown.” But if it had not been for a kind and dedicated nurse, the name of Anne Sullivan would have remained unknown. And so it goes. Just how far back does the chain of redemption extend? And how far forward will it lead?

Those you have sought to reach, whether they be in your family or elsewhere, are part of a chain of love that can extend through the generations. Your influence on their lives, whether or not you see results, is immeasurable. Your legacy of dedicated kindness and caring can transform lost and hopeless lives for years to come.

You can never overestimate the power of your love. It is a fire that, once lit, may burn forever.

– Steve Goodier
www.lifesupportsystem.com

Comments (0) Jul 21 2008