I shook my head in disbelief.

This couldn't be the right place.

After all, I couldn't possibly be welcome here.

I had been given an invitation several times,

by several different people,

and had finally decided to see what this place was all about.

But, this just couldn't be the right place.

Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words,

Warriors Creed

I Am a Soldier
Author unknown

THE BUZZARD::

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet.

Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

THE BAT::

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air.

Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

THE BUMBLEBEE::

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom.

"Our God is An Awesome God"

What are the reasons many children rebel when they grow up?

They may have learned to behave right, but they never really learned to "convert" their thinking.

If their thinking isn’t "converted," when they have the freedom to behave the way they want, they naturally act according to an old way of thinking.

Now, by "convert" we don’t mean they change religions. Rather, we mean they "change" the way they think. They switch from thinking like humans and now, think like God.

But how do you help your child think like God?

10 Tips for Kinder Speech
Judy Gruen

Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

In our media-driven society, it's easy to forget the awesome power of words. Words have enormous power to hurt or to heal, to make or break reputations, to uplift or degrade another human being. In this way, the words we speak literally change the world and how we view the people in it. Here are 10 ways to improve the world and ourselves through channeling our power of speech for the good.

(1.) Avoid Gossipmongers
Ancient Jewish sages said, "Gossip kills three: the teller, the listener, and the subject." The damage spreads like wildfire, with chronic tale-bearers ultimately becoming negative, someone others mistrust. The gossip victim's reputation is sullied, often unfairly. And the Talmud says that the listener is most damaged of all, because he alone had the power to turn away or change the subject, helping to stop the defamation of a third party. Remember, they don't call gossip "dirt" for nothing.

"Nature's Beauty"

The winding highways and farm roads of central Indiana are punctuated with small towns.

Many of the houses in these towns are a century old or more, dating back to an era before vinyl and aluminum siding.

Maintaining one of these houses can be a full-time hobby as winter's cold and summer's heat tag-team to chip and crack even the best paint-job.

One house in particular caught my eye several years ago. This big two-story home had been meticulously painted......................ON THREE SIDES!

The FOURTH WALL, the back of the house, still sported the old, peeling paint which had once graced the entire home.

My first thought was, "work in progress,".......a big job takes time to do right and I guessed that the homeowner would soon be finishing up.

I was wrong!!!

"Psalm 39"

(1.) I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence."

(2.) But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased.

Charles Swindoll teaching us on, "The Tongue."

A Love Letter To Oprah

by James Robison
Let's pray for Oprah Winfrey and everyone she influences.

Dear Oprah,

I remember when you first launched your daily talk program throughout the country. My wife and I have watched with amazement as it has grown. I know you have been gratified by its broad acceptance and popularity.

My wife Betty and I have been praying for you since Gene Self (my former staff member and close friend of Stedman's) began to tell me about the relationship you had with his friend. On numerous occasions I thought we were going to be able to get together and just talk based on comments Stedman made to my associate. This never occurred, but we have watched your television programs and especially the talk format grow until they have worldwide impact.

Betty and I also host a daily television program, LIFE Today which airs around the world. I also founded the ministry of Life Outreach International. With the help of countless supporters, Betty and I have been sharing the life and love of God in word and deed in the U.S. and abroad. We focus heavily on Africa, feeding more than 400,000 children each month and drilling hundreds of fresh water wells.