TODAY'S FEAST

Daily Feast

A feast is a huge banquet of wonderful foods and wonderful friends to share it. It is a time when people honor people - and many memories are laid aside for this celebration. But another kind of feast is in the heart - at the core where life is decided. It is the human way to believe himself victim of many things, and he starves at his center. He worries excessively about who will take care of him and who will feed him and if he will survive at all.

Never start a day without gratitude - without an inner singing of "Praise God from whom all blessings flow!" Never start a day being sour and hard to get along with. Never talk trouble nor give credence to those who do. Never give another person reason to be unhappy..... And remember, this is your day. This is a day of celebrating new life and purpose.

by

Joyce Sequichie Hifler

'A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II'

*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*

Shared by Corinne Mustafa

December 18 - Daily Feast

I watched her in the woods circling a red cedar not much taller than she was. It was her gift back to the woods that had given her so much peace and comfort - even when life outside the woods could be trying. She laid garlands of popcorn and cranberries over the sturdy limbs along with burr acorns and suet in mesh bags. Scattered beneath the tree were sunflower seeds and millet that cardinals and would attract unusual guests - miniature marshmallows were scattered in and around the tree, a sweet touch for woodland friends. A sweet touch, the best part of the gift. She gave, and peace would be given back to her.

~ Sometimes we prayed in silence;

sometimes each one prayed aloud;

    sometimes an aged person prayed for all of us. ~

GERONIMO - APACHE

'A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II' by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Shared by Corinne Mustafa

A Christmas Picture

Regarding this title

“A Christmas Picture”….

it would probably be more appropriate to state 

“Picture This!”

(This Is a True Story…Names have not been changed to protect the innocent)

When I was five years old I lived in South Dakota on a farm with my parents, little brother and my step-grandmother.  I can remember most of my childhood of that little farm house out in the no land prairies of South Dakota.  I can still recall the stories that Mom and Dad used to tell of how cold Dakota (as they used to call it) used to be.  Snow drifts piled high against the house, barn and sheep shed until a lot of times they couldn’t get out to the roads because their vehicles would be blocked in by snow and the severe weather.  I can remember how Mom would tie a dish towel around my head and bundle me up when we had to go outside to do chores.  I can also remember how Mom would try to hang cloths out on the cloths line, but the cloths would freeze in the basket before she could even get them hung up….Those were the days!!  Before cloths driers, snow blowers and modern conveniences.  Those times were hard.

However this particular Christmas Eve 1952,  my folks were able to call (by the old wall telephone with the ringer handle….1 ringy dingie, 2 ringy dingies) to most of the neighbors around our part to see if they could come for Christmas Eve, for there would be a  surprise visit from Santa Clause.  I can still here my Dad telling this story about an old neighbor man that lived down  the road from them named Johnny Haffer…   Ole Johnny was a certified bachelor  and it was well known in those parts that  Ole Johnny Haffer was pretty lazy.  Especially during the winter months,   as they said that Ole Johnny slept like a bear in hibernation all winter long and they wondered how he ever survived!

Somehow my Dad talked “Old Johnny” into dressing up like Santa Clause, putting a sack of toys on his back.  Dad  talked him into coming to our house that evening where friends, kids and neighbors would be gathered >>> for a  surprise visit from “None the Less”  than Old St. Nick!.  (I’m sure that Dad had to pay Old Johnny though for his services.)

As I remember (and also hearing the tale)…. of  the neighbors weathering the cold to get to our farm house to celebrate Christmas Eve with the expectation and anticipation of Santy Clause soon to appear with Christmas Cheer for all the kids.

Some time during that early evening I recall… When what to our wondering eyes should appear! ….But Old St. Nick coming up on that cold and snowy front porch with a sack on his back and a loud Jolly  “Ho Ho Ho !” 

Being that I was only five years old, I can remember my heart just beating so hard as I was scared, and I hung on to my dads legs and hid behind his back.  But Old Santy Clause with his nose so red and his cheeks so rosy,  did a good job as he propped him self up against our gas stove and began to dig in his sack to hand out toys. 

When all of a sudden their rose such a clatter I hung to my Dad to see what was the matter !!   The Gas Stove that Old Santa was leaning against had accidentally gotten half turned on with gas building up (unbeknown to them) and before they knew it >>>>  BOOM !! gas accumulated and the stove blew up !….and I wanna tell you  “Old Santy Clause” ran out of their like a steak of lightening!

Now Dash Away, Dash Away, Dash Away All….as I heard him exclaim as he ran out of sight….

Merry Christmas

to all

and to all 

a Good Night!

Written by

Glenna Williamson

THE SHOEBOX

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box  on the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about. 

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover. 

In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000. 

He asked her about the contents.

'When we were to be married,' she said, ' my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that If I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll.' 

The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness.

'Honey,' he said, 'that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?' 

'Oh,' she said, 'that's the money I made from selling the dolls.' 


A Prayer......
Dear Lord,
I pray for Wisdom to understand my man; Love to forgive him; And Patience for his moods; Because Lord, if I pray for Strength, I'll beat him to death, Because I don't have time to crochet.

T’was the Night of Thanksgiving

T’was the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn’t sleep
... I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep.

The leftovers beckoned, the dark and white
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation
The thought of a snack became infatuation.

So, I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door
And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.

I felt myself swelling so plumb and so round,
‘Til all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.

But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees-
“HAPPY EATING TO ALL, PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE”

May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump
May your potatoes ‘n gravy has nary a lump
May your yams be delicious, may your pies take the prize
May your Thanksgiving dinner STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!

Priceless! God's Wife IT WILL KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF   I especially liked number 5! Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once Talked about a contest he was asked to judge.  The purpose of the Contest was to find the most caring child.     The winner was: 1.  A four-year-old child, whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman, who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old Gentleman's' yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.    When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy just said, 'Nothing, I just Helped him cry.' ********************************************* 2.  Teacher Debbie Moon's first graders were discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture had a different hair color than the other members. One of her students suggested that he was adopted.    A little girl said, 'I know all about Adoption, I was adopted..'    'What does it mean to be adopted?', asked   another child. 'It means', said the girl, 'that you grew in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy!' 3.   On my way home one day, I stopped to watch a Little League baseball game that was being played in a park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on the first- base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was     'We're behind 14 to nothing,' he answered  With a smile.   'Really,' I said. 'I have to say you don't look very discouraged.'   'Discouraged?', the boy asked with a Puzzled look on his face... 'Why should we be discouraged? We haven't Been up to bat yet.' 4. Whenever I'm disappointed with my spot in life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott.     Jamie was trying out for a part in the school play. His mother told me that he'd set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen..        On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement..  'Guess what, Mom,' he shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson to me....'I've been chosen to clap and cheer.' 5.   An eye witness account from  New York City , on a cold day in December,  some years ago: A little boy, about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering With cold.    A lady approached the young boy and said,   'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!' 'I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,'was the boy's reply.    The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her. She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel.  By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks.. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes..   She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him.. She patted him on the head and said, 'No doubt, you will be more comfortable now..' As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked her.   'Are you God's wife?' ********************************************************************* Shared by Corinne Mustafa

Fun Christian Sayings

• Church Parking Lot Sign: “FOR MEMBERS ONLY. Trespassers will be baptized.”
• “No God-No Peace… Know God-Know Peace.”

• “Free Trip to Heaven… Details Inside!”
• Try out Sundays.  They are better than Baskin-Robbins.”
• “Wanting for a new look?  Have your faith lifted here!”
• An ad for one church has a picture of two hands holding stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed and a headline that reads, “For fast, fast relief, take two tablets.”
• When the restaurant next to a church put out a big sign with red letters that said, “Open Sundays,” the church reciprocated with its own message: “We are open on Sundays, too.”
• A singing group called “The Resurrection” was scheduled to sing at a church.  When a big snowstorm postponed the performance, the pastor fixed the outside sign to read, “Resurrection is postponed.”
• People are like tea bags-you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are.
• “God so loved the world that He did not send a committee.”
• “Come in and pray today.  Beat the Christian rush!”
• “When down in the mouth, remember Jonah.  He came out all right.”
• “Sign broken.  Message inside this Sunday.”
• “Right truth decay-study the Bible daily.”
• How will you spend eternity-Smoking or Non-smoking?”
• “Dusty Bible leads to Dirty Lives.”
• “Come work for the Lord.  The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low.  But the retirement benefits are out of this world.”
• “It is unlikely there’ll be a reduction in the wages of sin.”
• “Do not wait for the hearse to take you to church.”
• “If you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns.”
• “If you don’t like the way you were born, try being born again.”
• “Looking at the way some people love, they ought to obtain eternal fire insurance soon.”
• “This is a Ch_ _ch.  What is missing?” (U R)
• “Forbidden fruit creates many jams.”
• “In the dark?  Follow the Son.”
• “Running low on faith?  Stop in for a fill-up.”
• “If you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep.  Talk to the Shepherd.”
• If you pause to think– You’ll have cause to thank!
• As sure as God puts his children in the furnace, He will be in the furnace with them.
• God won’t be looking for your medals, degrees or diplomas–, He’ll be looking for your scars.
• Give God what’s right–, not what’s left!
• Trade God your pieces for His peace.
• When you get tired talking to your friends about God–, talk to God about your friends.
• It’s hard to stumble when you’re on your knees.
• “Will the road you’re on get you to my place?”….God
• ‘Pray’ is a four letter word that you can say anywhere (except in a public school).
• Make your eternal reservations now— ‘smoking’ or ‘non-smoking’?
• Jesus built us a bridge, with 2 boards and 3 nails.
• Count your blessings! Recounts are OK—
• Don’t be God’s weakest link!
  • It’s not the outlook– it’s the up look that counts!
  • He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly.

• They see our methods, He sees our motives.
• Plenty of folks give the Lord credit– few give Him cash!
• Finding hell is easy ! It’s at the end of a ‘Christ-less’ life.
• The greatest of evils is our indifference towards evil!
• If you cheat on the test, don’t thank the Lord for the “A”.
• Count your blessings, not your problems.
• If you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep; talk to the Shepherd.
• Good old knee-ology is as good as some theology.
• A good place for the “buck to stop” is at the collection plate.
• In this life it’s not what you have but Who you have that counts!
• A hypocrite is a person who’s not himself on Sunday.
• Money is a great servant but a terrible master!
• God gives every bird its’ food, but He does not throw it into its nest.
• He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses more; He who loses faith, loses all.
• God made round faces; man makes ‘em long.
• Honesty is not only the best policy; it is the will of GOD!
• What does it take for God to get our attention?
• There are many things in my life for which I am ashamed, but Jesus is not one of them.
• You can’t walk with God and hold hands with Satan at the same time.
• Faith is a journey, not a destination.
• Jesus never taught how to preach— only how to pray.
• Jesus declared the truth; He never gave opinions.
• When was the last time you told God you love Him? He is still listening.
• We are as full of the Holy Spirit as we want to be.
• We need to seek God Himself more than His gifts.
• We become like what we worship.
• Sin will keep you from the Bible but the Bible can keep you from sin.
• Give Satan an inch and he’ll be a ruler.
• A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit….Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Mat 7:18&20NIV
• The Bread of life never gets stale.
• Knowledge puffs you up– Love lifts you up.
• Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death.
• For all you do, His blood’s for you!
• Big Bang theory– God spoke and “Bang!”  It happened–
• Christians aren’t perfect– Just forgiven.
• “I’m a fool for Christ– Who’s fool are you?”
• Would you rather trust a guy who wrote a book— or the One who wrote The Book?

• Into each life a little rain must fall– Who’s your umbrella?
• T.G.I.F.– Thank God I’m Forgiven

Why go to Church?

If you'respiritually alive, you're going to love this! If you'respiritually dead, you won't want to read it. If you'respiritually curious, there is still hope!

Why Go To Church?

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this.. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!" When you are DOWN to nothing...God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

The Resume of Jesus Christ

Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone:Romans 10:13
Website:The Bible. Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus

Hello. My name isJesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seekingthe top managementposition in your heart.  Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.

Qualifications
·  I founded the earth and established the heavens,
   (See Proverbs 3:19)
·   I formed man from the dust of the ground,
   (See Genesis 2:7)
·   I breathed into man the breath of life,
   (See Genesis 2:7)
·   I redeemed man from the curse of the law,
   (See Galatians 3:13)
·   The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)

Occupational Background
·   I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49). 
·   I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.
·   My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me,(See Matthew 3:15-17)

Skills Work Experiences
·   Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).
·   I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33).
·   Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)

Educational Background·   I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).
·   In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).
·   My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a lamp unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).
·   I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).

Major Accomplishments·   I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26).
·   I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15).
·   I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15).
·   I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!
·   There are many more major accomplishments, to many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.

References
·   Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance

In Summation
Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15).

May God bless you!

Shared by Corinne Mustafa

A CHRISTIAN GARDEN

1)      Plant 4 rows of peas:

Presence

Preparedness

perseverance

Promptness

2)      Next plant 3 rows of Squash

Squash gossip

Squash criticism

Squash indifference

3)      Now put in 3 rows of lettuce

Let us be faithful

Let us obey rules and regulations

Let us love one another

4)      No garden is complete without turnips

Turn up for meetings

Turn up with a smile

Turn up with new ideas

Turn up with determination to make everything

Count for something good and worthwhile

Turn up on time

I don’t know where I got this so I cannot give credit to anyone.
Shared by Jackie Gilmer

Deck of Cards

Here is a new way to look at a deck of cards!!

Deck of Cards

It was quiet that day, the guns
and the mortars, and land mines
 for some reason hadn't been heard.

The young soldier knew
it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week.

 

As he was sitting there, he got out an old deck of cards 
and laid them out across his bunk.

Just then an army sergeant came in and said,

'Why aren't you with the rest of the platoon?'

The soldier replied, 'I thought I would stay behind

and spend some time with the Lord.'

The sergeant said,

'Looks to me like you're going to play cards.'

The soldier said,

 'No, sir . You see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles

or other spiritual books in this country,
I've decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards.'

 

The sergeant asked in disbelief,

'How will you do that?'

'You see the Ace, Sergeant?

It reminds me that there is only one God.

The Two represents the two parts of the Bible,

 Old and New Testaments


The Three represents the Father, Son,
and the Holy Spirit.

The Four stands for the Four Gospels:

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John .

The Five is for the five virgins

there were ten but only five of them were glorified.

The Six is for the six days

 it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.


The Seven is for the day God rested

after making His Creation.


The Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife,

their three sons and their wives --

the eight people God spared from the flood that destroyed the Earth.


The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy

He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him.


The Ten represents the Ten Commandments

that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.


The Jack is a reminder of Satan, one of God's first angels,

but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways

and is now the joker of eternal hell.


The Queen stands for The Bride of Christ.


The King stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings.


When I count the dots on all the cards,

I come up with 365 total,

one for every day of the year.


There are a total of 52 cards in a deck;

each is a week - 52 weeks in a year.


The four suits represent the four seasons:

Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.


Each suit has thirteen cards --

there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter.


So when I want to talk to God and thank Him,

 I just pull out this old deck of cards

and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for.'


The sergeant just stood there.

After a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said,

'Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?'

Shared by

Corinne Mustafa