Rough Waters..

He..rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. Luke 8:25

Recently my husband was in Marathon, `the heart of the beautiful Florida Keys', for a fishing trip with some guys. He said it was windy and really rough out. I could picture the boat getting slammed with the waves. Ordinarily, he wouldn't have even left the dock in this kind of weather, but the men were only there a brief time (so they `had to do it').

According to my husband, an experienced fisherman, calm waters are usually close in to shore, near the land which protects it. The rougher waters are out farther, in between the shallow and the deep, over the reefs. The depth of the water, however, isn't what matters in how rough it is. Interestingly, more fish are usually caught in these rougher waters.

This particular day they were offshore about nine miles. The men got a banner catch that day, a bull dolphin and some schoolies. A marlin even took the bait, which is rare for this time of year.

I doubt anyone wants to get banged up and bruised from the `rough waters' we all encounter in life. Nor be nervous, or afraid, to say nothing of perhaps not being able to `fish'.

The rough waters we have can be calmed by the protective shore of Jesus, who is always there. He spoke to the elements in nature, and they obeyed. He can also speak to our hearts, and supernatural calm can replace our rough waters.

That is good news.

Sally Ireland Kennedy is the author of Irish Thursdays: More Little Parables, Words from the Heart, and 52 Little Parables from Ireland. She is a songwriter and the creator of Poppy the Penguin® preschool music video series. Sally and her husband live in Florida. Her email is sallyikennedy@bellsouth.net Please visit her website at http://www.sallyikennedy.com

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BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

"AND THE WINNER IS..." June 1, 2009

"For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you." – Matthew 7:2

Simon Cowell from American Idol may be blunt (or too blunt!) when he criticizes
performances for two reasons:

1) He's the producer of the show and he's the
boss, and;
(2) He knows that the tables won't be turned and that he won't be judged in the
same way.

Jesus speaks to the Pinoy Big Brother, Starstruck — Next Level, and American
Idol judges of his time named Pharisees. He tells them: "You are not the boss, God is. And
tables will surely turn. You will be judged with the same measure...."

"Mom, who are we to judge?" asked my 10-year-old daughter Frances. True. We are
not judges and it's not our business. We can be judges, though, of ourselves.

Turning the tables now and asking the real Judge for a "pre-trial" assessment is most
helpful while there's time for "appeals." Whether we like it or not, time will come when we
will face Jesus Himself. This time, impressions and popularity won't matter, and text votes
don't count.

What matters is how we have lived our Christian life doing His will.
Marissa Escoto

REFLECTION:
When was the last time you had a "pre-trial assessment" called confession? Do it
now.

Father, in Your mercy help me judge myself according to the truth of Your Word.
Forgive
me and make me a new person today.

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BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

read

D O YOU KNOW THESE FACTS?

                    I M SURE YOU DIDNT TILL NOW

        Death is certain but the Bible speaks about untimely death!

                   Make a personal reflection about this.......

                    Very interesting, read until the end.......

                It is written in the Bible (Galatians 6:7):

                 'Be not deceived; God is not mocked:

                     for whatsoever a man sow,

                          that shall he also reap.

            Here are some men and women who mocked God :

                               John Lennon (Singer):

Some years before, during his interview with an American Magazine, he said:
'Christianity will end, it will disappear.

I do not have to argue about that. I am certain.

Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple, today we are more famous than Him' (1966).

Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times.

                      Tancredo Neves (President of Brazil ):

During the Presidential campaign, he said if he got 500,000 votes from his party, not even God would remove him from Presidency.

Sure he got the votes, but he got sick a day before being made President, then he died.

                 Cazuza (Bi-sexual Brazilian composer, singer and poet):

During A show in Canecio ( Rio de Janeiro ), while smoking his cigarette, he puffed out some smoke into the air and said:'God, that's for you.'

He died at the age of 32 of LUNG CANCER in a horrible manner.

                    The man who built the Titanic

After the construction of Titanic, a reporter asked him how safe the Titanic would be.
With an ironic tone he said:

'Not even God can sink it'

The result: I think you all know what happened to the Titanic

                       Marilyn Monroe (Actress)

She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a show.

He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her.

After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said:

'I don't need your Jesus'.

A week later, she was found dead in her apartment

                             Bon Scott (Singer)

The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC On one of his 1979 songs he sang:

'Don't stop me; I'm going down all the way, down the highway to hell'.

On the 19th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, he had been choked by his own vomit.

                        Campinas (IN 2005)

In Campinas , Brazil a group of friends, drunk, went to pick up a friend.....

The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the daughter holding her hand, who was already seated in the car:

'My Daughter, Go With God And May He Protect You.'

She responded: 'Only If He (God) Travels In The Trunk, Cause Inside Here.....It's Already Full '

Hours later, news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had died, the car could not be recognized what type of car it had been, but surprisingly, the trunk was intact.

The police said there was no way the trunk could have remained intact. To their surprise, inside the trunk was a crate of eggs, none was broken

                   Christine Hewitt (Jamaican Journalist and entertainer)
said the Bible (Word of God) was the worst book ever written.

In June 2006 she was found burnt beyond recognition in her motor vehicle.

Many more important people have forgotten that there is no other name that was given so much authority as the name of Jesus.

Many have died, but only Jesus died and rose again, and he is still alive.

                                                      'Jesus'

               PS: If it was a joke, you would have sent it to everyone.
                 So are you going to have courage to send this?.

                       I have done my part, Jesus said

                      'If you are embarrassed about me,

           I will also be embarrassed about you before my father.'

I'M TOLD THIS WORKS!!!!! Bishop T.D. Jakes '8 Second Prayer.' Just repeat this prayer and see how God moves!!

'Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless me, my family, my home, and my friends, in Jesus' name. Amen.'

Pass this message to 8 people {EXCEPT YOU AND ME}.You will receive a miracle tomorrow. I Hope that you don't ignore and
let God bless you

---

The Filling Station..

The Filling Station

The old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve. He hadn't
been anywhere in years since his wife had passed away. He had no
decorations, no tree, no lights. It was just another day to him. He
didn't hate Christmas, just couldn't find a reason to celebrate.
There were no children in his life. His wife had gone.

He was sitting there looking at the snow that had been falling for
the last hour and wondering what it was all about when the door
opened and a homeless man stepped through. Instead of throwing the
man out, George, Old George as he was known by his customers, told
the man to come and sit by the space heater and warm-up.

"Thank you, but I don't mean to intrude," said the stranger. "I see
you're busy. I'll just go"

"Not without something hot in your belly," George turned and opened a
wide mouth Thermos and handed it to the stranger. "It ain't much, but
it's hot and tasty. Stew. Made it myself. When you're done there's
coffee and it's fresh."

Just at that moment he heard the "ding" of the driveway bell. "Excuse
me, be right back," George said.

There in the driveway was an old 53 Chevy. Steam was rolling out of
the front. The driver was panicked.

"Mister can you help me!" said the driver with a deep Spanish accent.
"My wife is with child and my car is broken."

George opened the hood. It was bad. The block looked cracked from the
cold; the car was dead. "You ain't going in this thing," George said
as he turned away.

"But mister. Please help...."

The door of the office closed behind George as he went in. George
went to the office wall and got the keys to his old truck, and went
back outside. He walked around the building and opened the garage,
started the truck and drove it around to where the couple was waiting.

"Here, you can borrow my truck," he said. "She ain't the best thing
you ever looked at, but she runs real good."

George helped put the woman in the truck and watched as it sped off
into the night. George turned and walked back inside the office.

"Glad I loaned 'em the truck. Their tires were shot too. That 'ol
truck has brand new tires..."

George thought he was talking to the stranger, but the man had gone.
The thermos was on the desk, empty with a used coffee cup beside it.

"Well, at least he got something in his belly," George thought.
George went back outside to see if the old Chevy would start. It
cranked slowly, but it started. He pulled it into the garage where
the truck had been. He thought he would tinker with it for something
to do. Christmas Eve meant no customers. He discovered the block
hadn't cracked, it was just the bottom hose on the radiator.

"Well, I can fix this," he said to himself. So he put a new one on.
"Those tires ain't gonna get 'em through the winter either."

He took the snow treads off of his wife's old Lincoln. They were like
new and he wasn't going to drive the car. As he was working he heard
a shot being fired. He ran outside and beside a police car an officer
lay on the cold ground. Bleeding from the left shoulder.

The officer moaned, "Help me."

George helped the officer inside as he remembered the training he had
received in the Army as a medic. He knew the wound needed attention.

"Pressure to stop the bleeding," he thought. The laundry company had
been there that morning and had left clean shop towels. He used those
and duct tape to bind the wound.

"Hey, they say duct tape can fix anythin'," he said, trying to make
the policeman feel at ease. "Something for pain," George thought. All
he had was the pills he used for his back. "These ought to work." He
put some water in a cup and gave the policeman the pills.

"You hang in there. I'm going to get you an ambulance." George said,
but the phone was dead.
"Maybe I can get one of your buddies on that there talk box out in
your police car."

He went out only to find that a bullet had gone into the dashboard
destroying the two way radio. He went back in to find the policeman
sitting up.

"Thanks," said the officer. "You could have left me there. The guy
that shot me is still in the area."

George sat down beside him. "I would never leave an injured man in
the Army and I ain't gonna leave you." George pulled back the bandage
to check for bleeding. "Looks worse than what it is. Bullet passed
right through 'ya. Good thing it missed the important stuff though. I
think with time your gonna be right as rain."

George got up and poured a cup of coffee. "How do you take it?" he
asked.

"None for me," said the officer.

"Oh, yer gonna drink this. Best in the city." Then George added: "Too
bad I ain't got no donuts."

The officer laughed and winced at the same time. The front door of
the office flew open. In burst a young man with a gun.

"Give me all your cash! Do it now!" the young man yelled. His hand
was shaking and George could tell that he had never done anything
like this before.

"That's the guy that shot me!" exclaimed the officer.

"Son, why are you doing this?" asked George. "You need to put the
cannon away. Somebody else might get hurt."

The young man was confused. "Shut up old man, or I'll shoot you, too.
Now give me the cash!" The cop was reaching for his gun.

"Put that thing away," George said to the cop. "We got one too many
in here now."

He turned his attention to the young man. "Son, it's Christmas Eve.
If you need the money, well then, here. It ain't much but it's all I
got. Now put that pee shooter away."

George pulled $150 out of his pocket and handed it to the young man,
reaching for the barrel of the gun at the same time. The young man
released his grip on the gun, fell to his knees and began to cry.

"I'm not very good at this am I? All I wanted was to buy something
for my wife and son," he went on. "I've lost my job. My rent is due.
My car got repossessed last week..."

George handed the gun to the cop. "Son, we all get in a bit of
squeeze now and then. The road gets hard sometimes, but we make it
through the best we can."

He got the young man to his feet, and sat him down on a chair across
from the cop. "Sometimes we do stupid things." George handed the
young man a cup of coffee. "Being stupid is one of the things that
makes us human. Comin' in here with a gun ain't the answer. Now sit
there and get warm and we'll sort this thing out."

The young man had stopped crying. He looked over to the cop. "Sorry I
shot you. It just went off. I'm sorry officer."

"Shut up and drink your coffee." the cop said.

George could hear the sounds of sirens outside. A police car and an
ambulance skidded to a halt. Two cops came through the door, guns
drawn.

"Chuck! You ok?" one of the cops asked the wounded officer.

"Not bad for a guy who took a bullet. How did you find me?"

"GPS locator in the car. Best thing since sliced bread. Who did
this?" the other cop asked as he approached the young man.

Chuck answered him, "I don't know. The guy ran off into the dark.
Just dropped his gun and ran."

George and the young man both looked puzzled at each other. "That guy
works here," the wounded cop continued.

"Yep," George said. "Just hired him this morning. Boy lost his job."

The paramedics came in and loaded Chuck onto the stretcher. The young
man leaned over the wounded cop and whispered, "Why?"

Chuck just said, "Merry Christmas, boy. And you too, George, and
thanks for everything."

"Well, looks like you got one doozy of a break there. That ought to
solve some of your problems." George went into the back room and came
out with a box. He pulled out a ring box. "Here you go. Something for
the little woman. I don't
think Martha would mind. She said it would come in handy some day."

The young man looked inside to see the biggest diamond ring he ever
saw. "I can't take this," said the young
man. "It means something to you."

"And now it means something to you," replied George. "I got my
memories. That's all I need."

George reached into the box again. A toy airplane, a racing car and a
little metal truck appeared next. They were toys that the oil company
had left for him to sell. "Here's something for that little man of
yours."

The young man began to cry again as he handed back the $150 that the
old man had handed him earlier. "And what are you supposed to buy
Christmas dinner with? You keep that, too. Count it as part of your
first week's pay." George said. "Now git home to your family."

The young man turned with tears streaming down his face. "I'll be
here in the morning for work, if that job offer is still good."

"Nope. I'm closed Christmas day," George said. "See ya the day after."

George turned around to find that the stranger had returned. "Where'd
you come from? I thought you left?"

"I have been here. I have always been here," said the stranger. "You
say you don't celebrate Christmas. Why?"

"Well, after my wife passed away I just couldn't see what all the
bother was. Puttin' up a tree and all seemed a waste of a good pine
tree. Bakin' cookies like I used to with Martha just wasn't the same
by myself and besides I was getting a little chubby."

The stranger put his hand on George's shoulder. "But you do celebrate
the holiday, George. You gave me food and drink and warmed me when I
was cold and hungry. The woman with child will bear a son and he will
become a great doctor. The policeman you helped will go on to save 19
people from being killed by terrorists. The young man who
tried to rob you will become a rich man and share his wealth with
many people. That is the spirit of the season and you keep it as good
as any man."

George was taken aback by all this stranger had said. "And how do you
know all this?" asked the old man.

"Trust me, George. I have the inside track on this sort of thing. And
when your days are done you will be with Martha again." The stranger
moved toward the door.

"If you will excuse me, George, I have to go now. I have to go home
where there is a big celebration planned."

George watched as the man's old leather jacket and his torn pants
turned into a white robe. A golden light began to fill the room.

"You see, George, it's My birthday. Merry Christmas."

~~Author Unknown

__

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----------------------------------------------
BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

MARKETPLACE

---

__,_._,___

This is what Love is all about

It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, When an elderly gentleman
in
his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated
that he
was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital
signs
and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone
would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided,
since
I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam
it
was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed
supplies
to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his
wound,
we began to engage in conversation I asked him if he had a doctor's
appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told
me
no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his
wife.
I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for
a
while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer Disease.

As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would be
worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he
was,
that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and
asked him. "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know
who
you are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said. "She doesn't know me,
but
I still know who she is."

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and
thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life."

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance
of
all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

"The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
they
just make the best of everything that comes along their way."

-- Author Unknown
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----------------------------------------------
BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

Thinking of You...

Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like
doing something nice for someone you care for?
THAT'S GOD talking to you through the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to
talk to?
THAT'S GOD wanting you to talk to Him.

Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a
long
time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call
from
them?
THAT'S GOD. There is no such thing as coincidence.

Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for,
like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a
coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you
needed,
but couldn't afford?
THAT'S GOD knowing the desires of your heart.

Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it was going
to
get better, how the hurting would stop, how the pain would ease, but now
you
look back on it.
THAT'S GOD passing us through tribulation to see a brighter day.

-- Author Unknown

You are receiving the Reflections. To send write up's, sharings, comments,
etc., please send email to nicled_2000@yahoo.com The Reflections are FREE.

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BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.
MARKETPLACE

__,_._,___

Imperceptibly Turning...

See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and
destruction... life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so
that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:15-19
.. .as (a man) thinketh in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7

Clearing out clutter, and sprucing up after the holidays, called for
something new from the nearby garden shop. I picked a hardy houseplant
and placed the pot outside where you could see it from the kitchen. It
looked perfect out there.

One day I looked out the window and the plant was all bent over and
facing the other way. It had gotten plenty of water, what happened? It
looked so pretty before!

Seemed like that plant changed direction overnight. Of course, it
didn't happen that fast. It was like time lapse photography. Each
day, the little leaves turned their faces towards the sun.
Imperceptibly, the plant was turning. Ever so slowly. And over a period
of time, the difference was noticeable.

Plants don't have a choice. They just do what they do. We, however,
have a choice. We can choose what we look at, what we think about, what
we absorb.

In our day-to-day lives, all the seemingly insignificant decisions we
make, matter. As we turn in the direction of our focus, little by
little, the choices pile up to create a definite, noticeable change.

The Bible says: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is
noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever
is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such
things." (Phil. 4:8)

Wherever we may be planted, we can bloom and grow, as we continue to
decision and purpose to follow in the path our Lord has mapped out for
us in His Word. Thank you, Lord, in Jesus'name, amen.

Sally I. Kennedy is a songwriter and author of "Irish Thursdays:
More Little Parables", "Words from the Heart", and "52
Little Parables from Ireland" . She lives in south Florida, with her
husband Ben. Please visit her website at http://www.sallyikennedy.com/
<http://www.sallyikennedy.com/> Sally's Email:
mailto:sallyikennedy%40bellsouth.net

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

You are receiving the Reflections. To send write up's, sharings, comments,
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BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

MARKETPLACE

Footings...

The beautifully decorated home was only two years old when we
purchased it. It seemed ideal for us at this stage of our life that we
bought it after the second viewing. As per
standard procedure, we hired an inspector to assure all was well.

When we read the report , we were quite astonished. There was
a problem with 2 of the footings. Footings are the support base, or
ground work of a structure, and are
extremely important in the support of the house. It seems construction
code had been met, for cement pads had been poured every 8 feet and a
support beam placed thereupon. The
problem surfaced when we realized the beams did not line up with the
main support beams for the first and second floor and also the roof. As
time would elapse, the floor would sag
and buckle, the walls would crack, and the weight of house would be too
much to bear without proper support. Something would give. Those
support beams in the crawl space of the
house were just in the wrong place, even though they made code.
We have hired someone to correct this situation, but it was
an unforeseen expense and headache.

Just like those beams, our life can appear to be "in
code" when we do good deeds, act charitable and go to church. But
the truth is, we can be off center, just like
those support beams were. If our footings of life are not grounded in
God, the eventual weight of living in this world can cause us to
crumble and fall.

Proper support starts with correct foundation. There is an
old hymn that says " the church's one foundation is Jesus
Christ her Lord. She is his new creation by water and
the word. From heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride, with
his own blood he bought her and for her life he died." We must allow
Jesus to be the "footings" in our life.
With him, we will celebrate the joys of life and we will be able to
face the adversities which come our way.

Have you allowed Jesus to be the "footings" in your life? If you
have never accepted Jesus as your Savior, King, Redeemer and Lord you
can start the year right by doing so now.
Or, if you have lost loved ones- commit to continue to pray for their
salvation. Don't give up hope!

You are receiving the Reflections. To send write up's, sharings, comments,
etc., please send email to nicled_2000@yahoo.com The Reflections are FREE.

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BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

MARKETPLACE

The King's Insurance Company Guarantees...

LIFE
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting
life.
(John 3:16)

HEALTH
Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
(Psalms
103:3)

CLOTHING
If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and
tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you,
O you of little faith? (Luke 12:28)

DAILY NEEDS
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in
glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

COMFORT
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also
in Me.
(John 14:1)

COMPANIONSHIP
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew
28:20)

PEACE
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world
gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it
be
afraid. (John 14:27)

AN ETERNAL HOME
In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)

Reason for insuring in the King's Insurance Company:

1. It is the oldest insurance company in the world.
2. It is the only insurance company underwriting against loss in
the judgment day fire.
3. It is the only insurance company that provide eternal coverage.
4. It's policies never change
5. It's management never changes
6. It's asset are too vast to count
7. It is the only insurance company that pays the premium

PREMIUMS
* But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we
were still sinners, Christ died for us. ( Romans 5:8)
* For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God, (Ephesians 2:8)
* For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your
body and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:20)

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
* that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in
your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
(Romans 10:9)
* For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
(Romans 10:13)

All Premiums For This Policy Are Paid By Jesus

-- Author Unknown

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BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

MARKETPLACE

---

Predictions for 2008....

TOP TEN PREDICTIONS FOR 2008

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost.

God whispers in your soul and speaks to your mind. Sometimes when you
don'thave time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you. It's your
choice: Listen to the whisper, or wait for the brick.

-- Author Unknown

You are receiving the Reflections. To send write up's, sharings, comments,
etc., please send email to nicled_2000@yahoo.com The Reflections are FREE.

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BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

MARKETPLACE

__,_._,___

Start Over

When you've trusted God and walked his way
When you've felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way ...
Start over.

When you've made your plans and they've gone awry
When you've tried your best and there's no more try
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why ...
Start over.

When you've told your friends what you plan to do
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through
And you're all alone and it's up to you ...
Start over.

When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren come along ...
Start over.

When you've prayed to God so you'll know his will
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still ...
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill ...
Start over.

When you think you're finished and want to quit
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit
When you've tried and tried to get out of it ...
Start over.

When the year has been long and successes few
When December comes and you're feeling blue
God gives a January just for you ...
Start over.

Starting over means "Victories Won"
Starting over means "A Race Well Run"
Starting over means "God's Will Done"
Don't just sit there ............ ..

START OVER

by Woodrow Kroll of "Back to the Bible"

You are receiving the Reflections. To send write up's, sharings, comments,
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BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

MARKETPLACE

---

Resolutions...

MY 10 RESOLUTIONS FOR 2008

This coming year, I have decided that with God's help, I shall:-

Give up complaining . . . focus on gratitude.

Give up harsh judgments . . . think kind thoughts.

Give up worry . . . trust divine providence.

Give up discouragement . . . be full of hope.

Give up bitterness . . . turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred . . . return good for evil.

Give up anger . . . practice patience.

Give up pettiness . . . put on maturity.

Give up gloom. . . enjoy the beauty that is around me.

Give up gossiping . . . control my tongue.

-- Author Unknown

You are receiving the Reflections. To send write up's, sharings, comments,
etc., please send email to nicled_2000@yahoo.com The Reflections are FREE.

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Leave SUBJECT and BODY blank.

BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.
MARKETPLACE

---

Best Gifts this Season...

THE BEST GIFTS THIS SEASON:

To a Friend Loyalty
To an Enemy Forgiveness
To your Boss Service
To your Child A good example
To your Father Honor
To your Mother Gratitude and Devotion
To your Spouse Love and Faithfulness
To Yourself Respect
To All Men Charity
To God Your Life!!

-- Author Unknown

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----------------------------------------------
BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.
MARKETPLACE

---

Gifts that don't cost a cent...

1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
But you must REALLY listen.
No interrupting, no daydreaming,
no planning your response.
Just listening.

2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...
Be generous with appropriate hugs,
kisses, pats on the back and handholds.
Let these small actions demonstrate the
love you have for family and friends.

3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...
Clip cartoons.
Share articles and funny stories.
Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...
It can be a simple
"Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet.
A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for
a lifetime, and may even change a life.

5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...
A simple and sincere,
"You look great in red," "You did a super job"
or "That was a wonderful meal"
can make someone's day.

6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...
Every day, go out of your way
to do something kind.

7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...
There are times when we want nothing better
than to be left alone.
Be sensitive to those times and give
the gift of solitude to others.

8) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...
The easiest way to feel good is
to extend a kind word to someone,
really it's not that hard to say,

WIllie B. Guina
Servants Of The Lord Prayer Group

Many Thanks Willie for sharing this piece..

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BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

MARKETPLACE

---

Listen To Me...

Effective immediately, please be aware that there are changes YOU need
to
make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I
may
fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this
life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing,
this
seems very little to ask of you. I know, I already gave you the 10
Commandments. Keep them. But follow these guidelines, also:

1. QUIT WORRYING
Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you
forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for
you? Or
do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST
Something needs to be done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not
YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of
the
problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My
to-do-list is long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything
you
put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take
care
of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME
Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back.
Trust
in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs. YOUR
problems
and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list. Problem
with
finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller
coaster?
For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do
is
ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE
Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now,
I
think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling
stronger
now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them.
I
also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that
if I
give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started?
Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME
I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy.
Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But
there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't forget to talk
to
Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include
Me
in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about
your
friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me.
I
want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH
I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you
are.
Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; you wouldn't want
the
view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and
meet
your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger
task
than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple
part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE
You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you
forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate
than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your
laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share
your
tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with
those
who have none.

8. BE PATIENT
I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many
diverse
experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change
jobs
many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands
of
people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it
takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My
to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I
created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should
always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND
Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may
not
dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I
still
love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of
you
different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical.
Please, know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF
As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created
by me
for one reason only -- to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of
Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My
heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong.
You
are very precious to Me. Don't ever forget that! With all my heart, I
love
YOU!

GOD

-- Author Unknown

You are receiving the Reflections. To send write up's, sharings, comments,
etc., please send email to nicled_2000@yahoo.com The Reflections are FREE.

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BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

New Year Greetings

wishing everyone a happy, pleasent, eventfull and prosperous new year.
God bless you all.

Savor the Coffee...

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, were talking at
a
reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now
retired.
During their visit the conversation soon turned into complaints about
stress
in their work and lives.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and
returned
with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups- porcelain,
plastic,
glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite,
telling
them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the alumni had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:
"Notice that all of the nice looking, expensive cups were taken up,
leaving
behind the plain and cheap ones. While it normal for you to want only
the
best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be
assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases
it
is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.

What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you
consciously
went for the best cups…and then you began eyeing each other's
cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; your job, money, and position in
society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life.
The type of cup one has does not define, nor change the quality of Life
a
person lives. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to
enjoy
the coffee God has provided us."

God makes the coffee, man chooses the cups. The happiest people
don't have
the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

Enjoy your coffee!

-- Author Unknown

----------------------------------------------
BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

Test of Judgment..

A lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in a homespun
threadbare suit, stopped off the train in Boston, and walked timidly
without an appointment into the Harvard University president's outer
office. The secretary could tell in a moment that such backwoods,
country
hicks had no business at Harvard and probably didn't even deserve to be
in
Cambridge. She frowned. "We want to see the president," the man said
softly. "He'll be busy all day," the secretary snapped. "We'll wait,"
the
lady replied.

For hours, the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would
finally become discouraged and go away. They didn't, and the secretary
grew
frustrated and finally decided to disturb the president, even though it
was
a chore she always regretted. "Maybe if they just see you for a few
minutes
they'll leave," she told him.

He sighed in exasperation and nodded. Someone of his importance
obviously
didn't have the time to spend with them, but he detested gingham dresses
and
homespun suits cluttering up his outer office. The president, stern
faced
with dignity, strutted toward the couple. The lady told him, "We had a
son
who attended Harvard for one year. He loved Harvard. He was happy here.
But about a year ago, he was accidentally killed. And my husband and I
would like to erect a memorial to him, somewhere on campus."

The president wasn't touched, he was shocked. "Madam," he said gruffly,
"we
can't put up a statue for every person who attended Harvard and died. If
we
did, this place would look like a cemetery."
"Oh, no," the lady explained quickly. "We don't want to erect a statue.
We
thought we would like to give a building to Harvard."

The president rolled his eyes. He glanced at the gingham dress and
homespun suit, then exclaimed, "A building! Do you have any earthly
idea how much a building costs? We have over seven and a half million
dollars in the physical plant at Harvard."

For a moment the lady was silent. The president was pleased. He could
get
rid of them now. And the lady turned to her husband and said quietly,
"Is
that all it costs to start a university? Why don't we just start our
own?"
Her husband nodded.

The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment. And Mr. and
Mrs. Leland Stanford walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California,
where
they established the university that bears their name, a memorial to a
son
that Harvard no longer cared about.

You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who
do
nothing for them or to them.
-- Malcolm Forbes

----------------------------------------------
BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

A message from The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

__,_._,___

God Said...

If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I'm a Healer?

If you never went through difficulties, how would you know that I'm a
Deliverer?

If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer?

If you never felt sadness, how would you know that I'm a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake, how would you know that I'm forgiving?

If you knew it all, how would you know that I will answer your questions?

If you never were in trouble, how would you know that I will come to your
rescue?

If you never were broken, then how would you know that I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem, how would you know that I can solve them?

If you never had any suffering, then how would you know what Jesus went
through?

If you never went through the fire, then how would you become pure?

If I gave you all things, how would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you?

If you had all power, then how would you learn to depend on me?

If your life was perfect, then what would you need Me for?

THANK YOU, GOD!

-- Author Unknown

__._,_.___

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----------------------------------------------
BE HONEST

Even if others are not
Even if others will not
Even if others cannot

"He who walks honestly walks securely."
Proverbs 10:9

Old rugged Cross-link

The old rugged cro...