Inspired Morning Message

Good Morning,

I was watching one of my favorite movies last night...A Few Good Men. I love the acting, the plot, the suspense, and I love the script.  There are great lines in this movie. One of the most famous scenes of the movie is the court room exchange between Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.  Jack Nicholson is the commanding office at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  There was an accidental murder that occurred.  Two marines were charged for this murder, however their defense is that they were ordered to discipline the victim.  The victim had sent letters to Washington "snitching" on the platoon.  They were told to rough him up. Because he had a pre-existing heart condition, he died.  The commanding officers were conspiring to let the two marines take the fall for this murder.  Tom Cruise puts Jack Nicholson on the stand in hopes to try to get him to confess.  Tom Cruise plays mind games with Jack Nicholson's character and questions his authority which sends Jack Nicholson over the edge.  He then goes into his famous speech.  Tom Cruise demands him for the truth and Jack says..."YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!"  And goes into a monologue explaining that some of the things that they have to do to ensure the safety of the marines and ultimately the America citizens is sometimes questionable but necessary. He was telling them they couldn't handle the reality of what it takes to be a marine in one of the dangerous posts in the military.
 
Well Friends, some of you CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
Truth is, some of you believed that when you decided to become a Christian that all your problems would diminish.
Some of you throw pity parties because you feel like things are always happening to you, your family, and your children.
You feel that it is unfair how some people seem to have it all, and you are struggling.
Some people of the perfect spouse, the perfect children, the perfect house, the perfect dog, the perfect life while you live your less than perfect existence.
You feel that you never get ahead.
You feel it's always something, life is unfair.
 
Blah, Blah, Tear, Tear....GUESS WHAT...Truth is that YOU have been chosen to be a representative in  the toughest earthly assignment.
You have chosen to:
Love unconditionally
Forgive over and over and over and over
Spread the Good News
Live pure and Holy
Rejoice at all times
Weather every storm, with Thanksgiving
Have Faith in every situation
Have unspeakable joy
Don't get weary in well doing
Look to the Hills
Pray without ceasing
Remember the sabbath
Don't forsake the fellowship
Uphold the ten commandments.
Take up your cross and Follow HIM!
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.

TRUTH is nobody said it would be easy.  Truth is somedays it is pretty hard. HOWEVER, THE TRUTH is the benefit package for this assignment is AWESOME. God will give you peace the surpasses all understanding.  He gives you love, comfort, protection, grace, mercy. When things look impossible, he fixes it. He is a provider.  He is everything you need for every situation.  And He sent Jesus to die for your sins.  And now you guaranteed eternal life. So even when you have to go through, you don't go through alone.
 
So Here is the truth the whole truth and nothing but the TRUTH:
Everything may not be perfect right now, but you serve a perfect God.
 
Be Blessed!

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Good Morning Friends,

The other morning I shared my unfortunate accident with you all. Thank you so much for your loving responses.  I am so blessed to have all of you in my life.  I want to share with you a few more details about my unfortunate accident.  On Saturday (before Easter), the girls and I had just gotten back from the mall.  It was early evening, so I instructed them to go get a bath/shower so that I could begin doing their hair for Easter Sunday morning (Sunrise service). After they were finished, I came into the kitchen and there was that infamous fly buzzing around.  Catherine tells me it is in the window.  I grabbed a napkin and slowly moved toward the window.  I raised my hand and ...Pow before I knew it my hand was sailing through.  I yanked it back...BIG MISTAKE!  The blood started erupting from my arm.  I immediately applied pressure.  And I was spitting out instructions fast and furious to my kids.  I heard a knock at the door. When I opened the door, there was a young man and lady.  In their Southern concerned voice, they asked me if they could help.  The husband sprang into action.  He saw a dish towel hanging in my kitchen.  He told me he had to tie it around my arm to slow the bleeding down.  His wife went into the bedroom and helped my kids.  He said we needed to go to the hospital now.  I told him my friend was on her way.  He said we don't have time to wait and he asked where my keys were.  His wife held my girls' hands, she comforted them and we went out the door.  He got me in the car.  A neighbor who I know, came and said she would watch the kids until my friend arrived.  Another neighbor came running over from the pool and took the towel off she was wearing and gave it to me because she saw the other towel soaking up.  When we were sitting in the waiting room, he was making small talk to take my my mind off my pain.  He told me that him and his wife had just moved to Florida from Texas.  He said that he was a contractor but he hasn't been able to find work.  He was still so positive and hopeful.  When the nurse called me back, I told him he could go.

In the midst of everything they were going through, they were able to help out a stranger.  I am not sure these people were Christians, but they exhibited Christ-like behavior.  My mother always says that we should let our light shine before men, that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven. Are you letting your light shine?  Are you so consumed with your problems, stresses, or worries that you don't see the needs of others? As Jesus was dying He was so concerned about His executioners, that He said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."  He also told the thief on the cross next to him, "I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
This message appropriately comes on April 13th. Today would have been my Godmother's birthday. She passed away almost 5 years ago.  I loved her dearly. So much that my youngest daughter is named after her.  When she died, I wrote a poem for her funeral entitled Helper of Humanity because she was always opening her heart to help others. My mother and Godmother showed me that I am here to serve, to love, to give, to help, to see the need of others.  Cassandra sings a song that says, "Open the eyes of my heart Lord."  Give your concerns to the Lord through prayer, then open the eyes of your heart and give love to others.

Be Blessed!

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Good Morning Friends,
Accidents happen.  That is what I am going to start out saying this morning.  I say that to my kids all the time.  Just to let them know that I am not mad when they spill a little juice.  But this weekend I had a big accident.  I was trying to kill a fly with a napkin in my kitchen window and my hand went through the window.  I had "severe lacerations".  I also cut my flexor tendon and a blood vessel.  Praise God that I do not have to have surgery.  Anyway, it is a little difficult to do all the motherly duties without your right hand, but I am managing o.k.  This morning, I woke up a little achy so needless to say I was moving slow.  I made my way to the kitchen and was making breakfasts and lunch.  Well, I "thought" I cleaned up all the glass on Saturday, but I was so wrong.  I stepped on a piece of glass.  Instantly pain rushed through my foot.  I pulled the glass out of my foot and I said to myself, "I'm so glad it was me and not my girls."  I would hate to think of how tramatic it would have been for them.  I hate to see them in pain.
 
That is how your Lord and Savior felt.  He went to the cross, because He couldn't bare watching you suffer.  The bible says that there is no greater love than a man that would lay down his life for a friend.  He laid down his life for you, so you should give Him all the praise, glory and honor.
 
I worked past the pain of my injuries today, because I realized that I had the strength of Jesus Christ...And you do too. Whatever you are going through, Remember you can make it.   Have a blessed day!

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