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The Right Combination

1

    Every individual is a combination of good and bad
characteristics. These characteristics are combined
differently in each person. No two people have exactly
the same amount of each characteristic.

    Some people have more patience than others. That
can depend on situations and circumstances. One
person may have a lot of patience with children and
some one else may have very little patience with children.

    Each of us is responsible for our behavior. We should strive to be the best person that we can be. Being a good person and having the right character is for everybody.

    Character can be taught at different levels. Teaching a four year old about self-control would not be taught in the same manner as teaching a 16 year old about self-control.

    In this country, we have freedom of religion. We are free to choose to believe whatever we want to believe. But, whatever an individual chooses to believe, if it does not pass the character test, that belief will surely fail the individual.

   The character test is based on scientific, biblical, and common sense.

    There is a combination of characteristics that is right for everyone. The combination depends on which characteristics and how much of each characteristic a person has and which ones he does not have.

    Positive words can be good or bad and negative words can be good or bad. The individual who wants to harm someone can be just as determined as the person who wants to help someone.

    As sure as a certain combination will not unlock all safes, neither will the same combination of characteristics work on all people. In order to get the right combination that works for a certain individual, that person has to make a choice. They have the choice to accept or reject God. God alone knows the right combination for each of his children.

                         The Right Combination

 

2
 Factors in Character Building  

  Positive and Negative Qualities
     A character is the expression of its positive and negative qualities, by the Positive, the good, and by Negative, the destructive, qualities.  The cultivation of the positive makes for constructive, wholesome character.  In the measure in which negatives dominate, character is weak, ignoble or base.  The character of the discreet man is not vitiated by imprudence.  The nurturing of hopefulness and cheerfulness charter from the disintegrations of despair and despondency.  How to attain the virtuous, to bring “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,” and destructive propensities is set forth by the Bible by which we perceive and know the true, the beautiful, the good, that characterize the life invested with the saving true Word of God.
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”   -----      Proverbs 23:7  
Abstinence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Indulgence   Industriousness. . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Idleness  
Altruism. . . . . . . . . . .   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Egoism   Justice. . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . Injustice  
Ambition. . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . Laziness   Kindness. . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . .Ungraciousness  
Approving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Censoriousness   Liberality. . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . Stinginess  
Charity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ungenerosity   Love. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hatred  
Chastity . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lust   Loyalty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Treachery  
Cheerfulness . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . Despondency   Meekness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pretension  
Concentration . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . Inattention   Merciful. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cruelty  
Conscientiousness. . .   . . . . . .Unscrupulousness   Modesty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shamefulness  
Considerateness. . . . .  . . . . . . . Thoughtlessness   Obedience. . . . . . . . . . . .   . . . . . . . . .Insubordination  
Constancy. . . . . . . . .   . . . . . . . . . . . Fickleness   Optimism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pessimism  
Contentment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dissatisfaction   Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Confusion  
Courage. . . . . . . . . . .    . . . . . . . . . . . Cowardice   Patience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Uneasiness  
Decision. . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . Indetermination   Patriotism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Perfidy  
Diligence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Slothfulness   Peaceableness. . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . Quarrelsome  
Discretion. . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . Imprudence   Perseverance . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . Inconstancy  
Economy . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . Extravagance   Politeness. . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . Discourtesy  
Efficiency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carelessness   Prudence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Improvidence  
Endurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weakness   Refinement. . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . Coarseness  
Energy. . . . . . . . . . . .   . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inaction   Reliability. . . . . . . . . .  . . . . .  Untrustworthiness  
Enthusiasm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Apathy   Self-Confidence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dependency  
Faith. . . . . . . . . . . . . .   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Unbelief   Self-Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Impulsiveness  
Forgiving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unmerciful   Self-Denial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Indulgence  
Fortitude. . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . Faltering   Self-Respect. . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . Debasement  
Frankness. . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .Deceitfulness   Sincerity. . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . .Hypocrisy  
Friendliness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Enmity   Sympathy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Antipathy  
Gentleness. . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . Harshness   Temperance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dissipation  
Gratitude. . . . . . . . . . .   . . . . . . . .Unthankfulness   Truthfulness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falsity  
Heroism. . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .Fearfulness   Unpretentiousness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Egotism  
Honesty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dishonesty   Veneration. . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Irreverence  
Holy. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . Sacrilegious   Versatile . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inept  
Hope. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Despair   Virtue. . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Impurity  
Humility. . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . Haughtiness   Wisdom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Foolishness  
         
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."    -------      Phil. 4:8.

 
3

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

 If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.

 If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

 

SUCCESS

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

 To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

 To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child; a garden patch; or a  
     redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived;

This is to have succeeded.

 
 4

LIVABLE PHILOSOPHY

Take time to think --- thoughts are the source of power.

Take time to play --- play is the secret of perpetual youth.

Take time to read --- reading is the foundation of wisdom.

Take time to pray --- prayer can be a rock of strength in time of trouble.

Take time to love --- loving is what makes living worthwhile.

Take time to be friendly --- friendships give life a delicious flavor.

Take time to laugh --- laughter is the music of the soul.

Take time to give --- any day of the year is too short for selfishness.

Take time to do your work well --- pride in your work, no matter what it is, nourishes the ego and the spirit.

Take time to show appreciation --- thanks is the frosting on the cake of life.


A SATISFIED MIND

Money can’t buy back your youth when you’re old,

or friends when you’re lonely, or even a love that’s grown cold.

The wealthiest person is a pauper at times, when compared to

the man with a satisfied mind.

 
5

I’d Rather See A Sermon Than Hear One Any Day

(Author Unknown)

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day,

 I’d rather one would walk with me than merely tell me the way.

           For the eye is a better pupil, and more willing than the ear,

               Fine counsel is confusing, but example is always clear.

        The best of all the preachers are the men, who live their creeds,

             For to see good put into action is what everybody needs.

               I can soon learn how to do it if you let me see it done,

    I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue, too fast may run.

                 The lectures you deliver may be very wise and true,

            But I’d rather get my lesson from observing what you do.

               I may misunderstand you and the fine advice you give, 

        But there is no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

             When I see a deed of kindness, then I am eager to be kind,

          When a weaker brother stumbles and a stronger stays behind.

        Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me,

      To become as big and as thoughtful, as I know that friend to be.

              All travelers will witness that the best of guides today, 

        Are not the ones that tell them, but the ones that show the way.

          One good man teaches many; men believe what they behold,

              One act of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told. 

         Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,

           For right living speaks a language that to everyone is clear.

         Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,

                     I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.

 
6

EDUCATE

The word educate, according to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English

Language, has the following definitions:

  • To provide with knowledge or training,

  • especially through formal schooling, to teach.

  • 2. To provide with training for some

  • particular purpose.

  • To provide with information, to inform.

  • To discipline, train, or develop (taste or

  • (skill, for example).

    •

     

    Using this as a basis, surely there is a need to examine ourselves to see if we are truly
    as educated as we think we are. Most people think an educated person is one who has

    finished high school, graduated from college, and has a degree or title before or after his

    name. These people are educated only in the field in which they have studied. If they

    have never learned about drugs, then they are uneducated about drugs. If they were

    never taught how to manage their money wisely, they will probably always be in debt.

    A truly educated person has the characteristics of Jesus. They have learned to obey
    God. They know, (because they have been taught the word of God) the difference
    between good and evil and how to tell them apart.

    An educated person is one who is unselfish, thinks of other people, and respects other

    people (no matter what their age, race, color, sex, size, or looks are).

    He is wise in his decision making because he considers both the pros and cons before
    making a decision. He is not foolish nor does he partake in activities that are harmful to
    himself or to anyone else. He seeks advice when encountered with a problem that he
    cannot handle or is unfamiliar with. An educated person knows when to say no and
    when to back away from things that are not in his best interest and will tell his family
    and friends the same.

    An educated person wants that which is good for everyone else as well as for himself.

    He wants always to do the right thing. Since all people are not taught exactly alike,

    therefore, all people will not agree as to the true meaning of right and wrong. It is with

    this thought in mind that creates the following statement: Any thing a person thinks,

    Says, feels, sees, hears, or does that keeps him from being mature, can be wrong.

    This statement would apply to all denominations, all races, all countries, or in general
    all people everywhere.

     
    7

    From the time a child is born until he dies, he is constantly going through a changing

    process. Every day, he either increases or decreases his condition to a point. This means

    both the physical and spiritual condition. He lives in a cycle that he cannot get out of

    because he has never reached full maturity. A good example of stages of development,

    is the butterfly. The butterfly goes through different stages before it can become a

    beautiful butterfly. God’s children go through stages of development, but very few

    mature fully or reach the stage of the beautiful butterfly. Many never reach the level of

    thinking, God has set before us.

    If people are not happy, contented, satisfied, or feel like they are a person of worth

    (not monetary), it could be because they have not been educated or shown the true

    characteristics of Jesus. It may or may not be their parent’s fault. It may or may not be

    the school’s fault. It may or may not be the church’s fault. Who do we blame because

    we are not completely mature people? People can be! They can become whatever they

    want if they have what it takes. What does it take? It takes Jesus, because without Him,

    we can do nothing.

    If you say, "I don’t believe I can", then you are defeated before you start. If you say I

    don’t have the patience, then, you must learn patience. If you say, "how do I learn

    patience", ask yourself do I really want to learn, because if you do not have a sincere

    desire to learn; you will never learn all the beautiful characteristics that you want, need,

    and should learn.

    If you think, why should I learn these characteristics, I’m all-right just the way I am,

    then you are fooling nobody but yourself, because everybody needs help in one or many of

    these characteristics. If you say it doesn’t matter, then ask yourself if it matters whether

    you live or die or whether you go to Heaven or Hell!

    The Lord’s Prayer plainly states that "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven".

    This is God’s will. He wants to look upon earth and see himself in his children. If anyone
    is against the will of God, then he is for the will of the devil, for there are only two wills
    on this earth.

    Farmers do not harvest their crop until the majority of the crop is ripe, ready or

    mature. When this happens, harvest takes place. Jesus, according to the Bible, will
    come back to the world when his bride, the Church is ready. The bible also states that
    the church has made herself ready. What denomination or religious doctrine, can
    truthfully say, they are ready to meet Jesus?

    Many of God’s people would like to see the return of Jesus in their lifetime. If one

    reads and studies the bible thoroughly, and then examines Factors In Character Building

    carefully, one will know that it will be a long time before the return of Jesus because

    people are not preparing themselves for his return. They are not maturing themselves
    for the harvest of souls!

     

    8

    Mankind will never know peace of mind, contentment of heart, the answers to his
    many problems, or the many blessings God has to offer until he is properly educated in
    the true words of God!

    Your physical body is composed of billions of cells. These cells are constantly

    increasing or decreasing every day.

    They add life to the body or take life away from the

    physical body according to the input of the senses. You breathe good clean fresh air or,

    you breathe dusty, polluted air. You eat foods that are healthy for you or you eat
    unhealthy foods. You listen to music that is easy on the eardrums or you don’t. The

    same is true for the spiritual condition. Everybody needs to have positive good things
    said about them and to happen for them. Anything that happens to the five senses

    affects the spirit. The physical condition can also be affected by either increasing or
    decreasing the spirit. There is also a need for negative good. Most people do not like
    for someone to yell at them. Sometimes it takes this manner in order to help someone,
    or to get them to listen.

    As you live and breathe, anything that affects your senses can increase or decrease

    your life on a daily basis. People are constantly adding to or taking away from their

    physical body. People are constantly adding to or taking away from their spiritual body.

    There is nothing wrong with this process as long as one adds the right things and

    subtracts the wrong things. The right things are the ones that will help to mature the

    person, to build him up, to make him a better person. The wrong things are the ones
    that prevent a person from maturing. People do not mature fully because many are

    uneducated as to what it takes to make them the best person that they can be. They
    live on false hope and wrong ideas. Many remain in a world of confusion with no true
    sense of the right direction for their life. This is not of God! It is the purpose of the devil
    to destroy people and their lives. It is God who gives life and can save lives. He is the
    author and finisher of everything. Only Jesus can change people for     the better. They
    have to get under his control and let Him lead, guide, and direct their life.

    Many people have asked the question, "How can a loving God allow bad things to

    happen?" God does not promise bad things won’t happen. He promises to be by your
    side to help you through your trial and tribulations if and when they do happen. The
    truth is, God never allows evil to happen when He is in control. That is,     when the person
    is under the influence of Jesus    . If evil is dominant, it is because wrong thoughts rule in
    the person’s heart and mind. Also it could be that the person has never been educated to
    the Christian way of thinking. Evil can only dominate in an area of a person’s life that is
    not controlled by Jesus.

     
    9

    People are misled; by thinking that money makes them better people. They are

    misled; by thinking that being popular or having many possessions makes them better

    people. These people are spiritually uneducated. Only the true characteristics of God
    can make people better people.

    The words that come out of a person’s mouth show the nature of the person. They

    show the amount of education that one has according to his character. They show the

    amount of control a person has over his own thoughts and feelings. These words can
    also be deceptive. One must be educated to the fullest to be able to tell whether a person
    is being deceptive or sincere.

    There is much more that can be said about Factors In Character Building, more than

    this paper can hold. If you are truly interested in learning more about the character of

    God, then pray about it, ask God to show you what He would have you to know. Ask

    Him for guidance and surely your life will be headed in the right direction; be more

    meaningful; be more peaceful; full of light; and then you will know true happiness!

     
    10

     

    SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES

     

     

        Eph.

    4:11

     

    And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets;
    and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

     

     

     

     

     

    4:12

     

    For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
    ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ;

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    4:13

     

    Till we all come in the unity of faith, and of the knowledge
    of the son of God, unto a perfect man unto the measure of
    the stature of the fullness of Christ;

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    5:17

     

    Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the
    Lord is.

     

     

     

    5:27

     

    That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot,
    or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without
    blemish.

     

     

     

     

     

     

        Phil.

    4:8

     

    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are
    honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
    whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;
    if there be an virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

        Col.

    1:9

     

    For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray
    for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his
    will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1:10

     

    That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful
    in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

     

     

     

     

     

     

       Matt.

    5:48

     

    Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

     

     

     

    7:23

     

    And then will I profess unto them that I never knew you: depart from
    me, ye that work iniquity.

     

     

     

     

     

     

        Rev.

    19:7

     

    Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him; For the marriage of
    the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.

     

     

    There are many more verses of scripture that could have been used for this topic.  A few are: Col. 1:22, 1:28, 3:8 - 3:14, 4:6, 4:12, I Tim. 1:9, 1:10, II Tim. 1:7, 1:10, 3:16, 3:17, Titus 3:2, Heb. 4:12, II Cor. 7:12, Eph. 4:14, 4:15, 4:16, 5:25, and 5:26.

     
    11

    God Always has an Answer

    It is easy to get discouraged when things go wrong, but we must not lose heart. God is at work in our world, even in the midst of pain and trial. The next time your little hut is burning to the ground; remember that it just may be a smoke signal to summon the Grace of God. For any negative thing we say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.

     

    We say :                 "It's Possible"

    God Says:              "All things are Possible"     ( Luke 18:27 )

    We say :               "I'm too tired"

    God Says:             "I will give you rest."      ( Matthew 11:28 )

    We say :               "I can't do it."

    God Says:           "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  ( Philippians 4:13 )

    We say :               "I'm not able."

    God Says:             "I am able."    ( II Corinthians 9:8 )             

    We say :                  "It's not worth it."

    God Says:                "It will be worth it."    ( Romans 8:28 )

    We say :                   "Nobody really loves me."

    God Says:                  "I really love you,"    ( John 3:16 )

    We say :                    "I can't go on."

    God Says:              "My grace is sufficient."     ( II Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 91:15 )

    We say :                  "I can't figure things out."

    God Says:                 "I will direct your steps."     ( Proverbs 3:5-6 )

    We say :                     "I can't forgive myself."

    God Says:                    "I forgive you."     ( I John 1:9, Romans 8:1 )

    We say :                     "I can't manage."

    God Says:                   "I will supply all your needs." ( Philippians 4:19 )

    We say :                       "I'm afraid."

    God Says:                  "It have not given you the spirit of fear." ( II Timothy 1:7 )

    We say :                      "I'm always worried and frustrated."

    God Says:                   "Cast all your cares on me."      ( I Peter 5:7 )

    We say :                    "I don't have enough faith."

    God Says:                    "My word will give you faith."    ( Romans 10:17 )

    We say :                    "I'm not smart enough."

    God Says:                      "I will give you wisdom."    ( I Corinthians 1:30, James 1: 1-5 )

    We say :                    "I feel all alone."

    God says:                   "I will never leave you nor forsake you."      ( Hebrews 13:5 )

     

     12

    The Center of the Bible

    This is pretty strange or odd how it worked out this way.
    Even if you are not religious you should read this.

    What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 117
    What is the longest chapter in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 119
    Which chapter is in the center of the Bible? Answer - Psalms 118

    Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118
    Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118
    Add these numbers up and you get 1188.
    What is the center verse in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 118:8

    Does this say something significant about God's perfect will
    for our lives? The next time someone says they would like to find
    God's perfect will for their lives and that they want to be in the
    center of His will, just send them to the center of His Word!
    Psalms 118:8 (NKJV) --

    "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."
    Now isn't that odd how this worked out (or was God in the
    center of it)?

    When things get tough always remember, faith doesn't get you
    into trouble, it gets you through it!
    13

    OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN

    Our Father Who Art In Heaven. YES? 
    Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.     BUT -- YOU CALLED ME. 

    Called you? No, I didn't call you, I'm praying. Our Father
    who art in heaven.     THERE -- YOU DID IT AGAIN.

    Did what? CALLED ME. YOU SAID, "OUR FATHER,
    WHO ART IN HEAVEN." WELL, HERE I AM.
    WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

    But, I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty. WELL, ALL RIGHT. GO ON. 

    Okay, Hallowed be Thy name ...HOLD IT RIGHT THERE. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT? 

    By what? BY "HALLOWED BE THY NAME"?  

    It means, it means ... good grief, I don't know what it means. How in the world should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?

    IT MEANS HONORED, HOLY, WONDERFUL. 

    Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant before. Thanks. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

    DO YOU REALLY MEAN THAT? 

    Sure, why not? WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT? 

    Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control of everything down here like you have up there. We're kind of in a mess down here you know.

    YES, I KNOW; BUT HAVE I GOT CONTROL OF YOU?

    Well, I go to church. THAT ISN'T WHAT I ASKED YOU. WHAT ABOUT YOUR BAD TEMPER? YOU'VE REALLY GOT A PROBLEM THERE, YOU KNOW. AND THEN THERE'S THE WAY YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY -- ALL ON YOURSELF. AND WHAT ABOUT THE KIND OF BOOKS YOU READ AND THE MOVIES YOU WATCH?

     
    14

  • Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me! I'm
    just as good as some of the rest of those people at
    church!

  • EXCUSE ME. I THOUGHT YOU WERE PRAYING FOR MY WILL TO BE DONE. IF THAT
    IS TO HAPPEN, IT WILL HAVE TO START WITH
    THE ONES WHO ARE PRAYING FOR IT, LIKE
    YOU -- FOR EXAMPLE.

  • Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others. SO COULD I.

    • I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free. GOOD. NOW WE'RE GETTING SOMEWHERE. WE'LL WORK TOGETHER -- YOU AND ME. I'M PROUD OF YOU.

    Look, Lord, if you don't mind, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. Give us this day, our daily bread.

    YOU NEED TO CUT OUT THE BREAD. YOU'RE OVERWEIGHT AS IT IS. 

    Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups. PRAYING IS A DANGEROUS THING. YOU JUST MIGHT GET WHAT YOU ASK FOR. REMEMBER, YOU CALLED ME -- AND HERE I AM. IT'S TOO LATE TO STOP NOW. KEEP PRAYING. pause...WELL, GO ON.

    I'm scared to. SCARED, OF WHAT? 

    I know what you'll say. TRY ME. 

    Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. WHAT ABOUT CAROL?

    See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories. She never paid back the money she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her!

    BUT -- YOUR PRAYER -- WHAT ABOUT YOUR PRAYER? 

    I didn't -- mean it. WELL, AT LEAST YOU'RE HONEST. BUT, IT'S QUITE A LOAD CARRYING AROUND ALL THAT BITTERNESS AND RESENTMENT ISN'T IT? 

     

     
    15

    Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her.
    Boy, have I got some plans for her. She'll wish she had
    never been born.
    NO, YOU WON'T FEEL ANY BETTER.
    YOU'LL FEEL WORSE. REVENGE ISN'T SWEET.
    YOU KNOW HOW UNHAPPY YOU ARE -- WELL,
    I CAN CHANGE THAT. 

    You can? How?   FORGIVE CAROL, THEN, I'LL
    FORGIVE YOU; AND THE HATE AND SIN WILL
    BE CAROL'S PROBLEM -- NOT YOURS. YOU WILL
    HAVE SETTLED THE PROBLEM AS FAR AS YOU
    ARE CONCERNED. 

    Oh, you know, you're right. You always are. And more than I want revenge, I want to be right with you... (sigh). All right...all right...I forgive her. THERE NOW! WONDERFUL! HOW DO YOU FEEL? 

    Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven't been getting much rest, you know. YEAH, I KNOW.

    BUT, YOU'RE NOT THROUGH WITH YOUR PRAYER ARE YOU? GO ON. 

    Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. GOOD! GOOD! I'LL DO THAT. JUST DON'T PUT YOURSELF IN A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN BE TEMPTED. 

    What do you mean by that? YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. 

    Yeah. I know. OKAY. GO AHEAD. FINISH YOUR PRAYER. 

    For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. DO YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD BRING ME GLORY -- WHAT WOULD REALLY MAKE ME HAPPY? 

    No, but I'd like to know. I want to please you now. I've really made a mess of things. I want to truly follow you. I can see now how great that would be. So, tell me ... how do I make you happy? YOU JUST DID.

    "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift, that's why we call it the "present".   Enjoy your "present" of life to the fullest.

     
    16

    THE U IN JESUS

    Before U were thought of or time had begun, God even stuck U
    in the name of His Son. And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,
    you can't spell out JesUs and not include U. You're a pretty big
    part of His wonderful name, for U, He was born; that's why He
    came. And His great love for U, is the reason He died. It even
    takes U to spell crUcified. Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
    He rose from the dead, with U in His plan? The stones split away,
    the gold trUmpet blew, and this word resUrrection is spelled with
    a U. When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension, He felt
    there was one thing He just had to mention. "Go into the world
    and tell them it's true that I love them all - Just like I love U."
    So many great people are spelled with a U, Don't they have a
    right to know JesUs too? It all depends now on what U will do,
    He'd like them to know, but it all starts with U.