Sunday Prayer

Lord, are you trying to tell me something?

For --

Failure doesn't mean I'm a failure.  It does mean I haven't yet succeeded.

Failure doesn't mean I have accomplished nothing.  It does mean I have learned something.

Failure doesn't mean I have been a fool.  It does mean I had enough faith to experiment.

Failure doesn't mean I've been disgraced.  It does mean I dared to try.

Failure doesn't mean I don't have it.  It does mean I have to do something in a different way.

Failure doesn't mean I am inferior.  It does mean I am not perfect.

Failure doesn't mean I've wasted my life.  It does mean I have an excuse to start over again.

Failure doesn't mean I should give up.  It does mean I must try harder.

Failure doesn't mean I'll never make it.  It does mean I need more patience.

Failure doesn't mean you have abandoned me.  It does mean you must have a better idea!

Amen.

Titles

Calling oneself a "Christian," in America today, may or may not imply a "follower and disciple of Jesus Christ."

It is unfortunate that those two titles are not always synonymous. 

"Be careful then how you life..." 
Ephesians 5:15

Maundy Thursday

Beneva Christian Church is leading a Maundy Thursday "Tenebrae" Service tonight at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. It will include...

- Acapella version of "Be Still My Soul" by the Beneva Praise team
- Tenebrae - Service of Shadows
- Communion
- Opportunity for Meditation
- Gregorian Chants

Prayer

For Grace

I have no right, Lord, to ask you to protect me from all hurts in life.

But do give me the grace to turn my scars into stars.

Amen.

Gator Fan

The Mayan Ruins - Altun Ha

Belize, Central America

Some kids at the top of the pyramid had some animals to hold...

for a dollar or two.

Yes, the mouth is taped shut.
No animals were harmed in the filming or picture taking!

Sunday Prayer

Truly, Father, all things work together for the good of those who love.
Thank you for the difficulties that produce divine dividends.

I know that pain is only a phase of the growing process: that seed buried alive under suffocating ground in a windowless grave agonizes before it ruptures into new life.

I know that I build hard muscles in heart, mind, and body only when I lift heavy loads. 
I thank you for tough times that produce callouses that could save my spirit from softness that would be weakness.

There have been times, O Lord, when only through great difficulty have I learned the valuable lessons.  I was too blind to see, too arrogant to believe, or too stubborn to accept any other way than by a bed of pain.

I praise you for the times an open door slammed in my face and forced me out of an old rut that I never would have had the courage to leave, and led me down the road to a beautiful new life.

I thank you for heartbreak which caused me to bury the hatchet and speak again to someone I had for far too long been out of touch.

Thank you, Father, for life's priceless times of fruitful difficulty.

Amen.

Old Disney Pics

Cute Pics of Family - Disney 2004