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      ROSE The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being. She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?" I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!", and she gave me a giant squeeze. "Why are you in...

      PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL Maschil of David, when he was in the cave; a Prayer. With my voice I cry unto HaShem; with my voice I make supplication unto HaShem. I pour out my complaint before Him, I declare before Him my trouble; When my spirit fainteth within me--Thou knowest my path--in the way wherein I walk have they hidden a snare for me. Look on my right hand, and see, for there is no man that knoweth me; I have no way to flee; no man careth for my soul. I have cried unto Thee, O...

      PRAYER FOR THE NATION Our Father and Our God, We praise You for Your goodness to our nation, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve. Yet we know all is not right with America. We deeply need a moral and spiritual renewal to help us meet the many problems we face. Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace. We pray today for our nation's leaders. Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage...

      YOU ARE SPECIAL "I don't know why I was even born," the young sailor confided! "I'm ugly. I'm not talented. I've never been what you would call smart. I don't really have any friends. And I can't seem to do anything right. I feel like I've spent my whole life letting people down. Sometimes I wonder if even God could love me!" That conversation took place more than a decade ago, but I still remember it as if it were yesterday. That one and a lot of others over the years with the same message: "I'm...

      WORD POWER!! During the invasion of Salerno, Allied forces employed propaganda on a scale they had never tried before. Artillery was used to fire shells, each containing thousands of leaflets, encouraging the Germans to surrender and promising them humane treatment if they did. The shells would open about 300 feet in the air and rain down the leaflets on German troops. One British Major made no secret of his anger at having to fire leaflets at the enemy instead of high explosives. In a short while, however, he changed his mind. For days his men had...

      EXAMINING THE FOUNDATION It was back in 1962, I'm told, when cracks began to appear in the 42nd story of a very expensive high-rise in Hong Kong. It had already withstood numerous typhoons. And there was no ready explanation for the cracks' sudden appearance. Yet there they were. Obviously, there had to be a problem somewhere. So a team of architects and structural engineers was called in to ferret out the cause. Finally, one determined engineer stumbled upon the reason as he was prowling around the foundations deep in the basement. When he tapped the plaster,...

      SEEK TO KNOW GOD BETTER [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly]. — Philippians 3:10 This was the cry of the apostle Paul’s heart as he sought to have such a deep relationship with Christ that the trials of life would barely be noticeable. At the beginning of this new year, it is a wise thing for you to seek also. There are plenty of problems...

        FDR'S D-DAY PRAYER JUNE 6TH, 1944 Films such as "Saving Private Ryan", "The Thin Red Line", and "U 571" bring to life the struggles of a whole generation of Americans who fought tyranny in World War II. No movie, however, could adequately capture the sense of dedication and courage which so many ordinary men and women demonstrated in order to bring an end to the horrors that were being committed against innocent people around the world. Sadly, this generation is passing on, as about 1,000 of these heroes are now dying each day due to...

      THE FIRST STEP IN RESOLVING INTERPERSONAL CONFLICTS C. W. Moore, in his book, The Mediation Process: Practical Strategies for Resolving Conflict defines conflict as "struggles between two or more people over values, or competition for status, power, or scarce resources." Experts in conflict management believe that conflict is inevitable in any organization or relationship. Many strategies have been developed to mediate and resolve organizational and interpersonal conflicts. What is usually missing in these mediation processes is a biblical understanding of the nature and causes of conflict. James 4:1-2 indicates that the causes of fights and quarrels...

      THE LOSER WHO NEVER GAVE UP For "Sparky", school was all but impossible. He failed every subject in the eighth grade. He flunked physics in high school, getting a grade of zero. He also flunked Latin, algebra and English. And his record in sports wasn't any better. Though he did manage to make the school's golf team, he promptly lost the only important match of the season. Oh, there was a consolation match; he lost that too. Throughout his youth, Sparky was awkward socially. It wasn't that the other students disliked him; it's just that no...

      LIVING PRAYER Brother Lawrence was a monk who lived almost 300 years ago and worked in the galley of his monastery. He wrote a book, The Practice of the Presence of God, which today is considered a classic in the area of Christian devotion. Brother Lawrence spent much of his time in the monastery scullery scrubbing pots and pans. He also had a collateral duty as the monastery cobbler. In these jobs, he said, he learned to glorify God in simple tasks and to pray with his hands. By bringing to each small job the best...

      BE KIND TO STRANGERS Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in the brotherhood — being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it. — Hebrews 13:2 A clique is an exclusive group, one to which not everyone is welcome. Being "in" makes us feel important, but being "out" can be very painful. I find that even the church is full of cliques. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, you and I are...

      GENERAL CHARLES C KRULAK SPEECH The word integrity itself is a martial word that comes to us from an ancient Roman army tradition. During the time of the 12 Caesars, the Roman army would conduct morning inspections. As the inspecting centurion would come in front of each legionnaire, the soldier would strike with his right fist the armor breastplate that covered his heart. The armor had to be strongest there in order to protect the heart from the sword thrusts and from arrow strikes. As the soldier struck his armor, he would shout "integritas", (in-teg-ri-tys) which...

      CHARACTER A wise person once said, "You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing to him or for him." (author unknown) Columnist Ann Landers put it this way, "The best index of a person’s character is how he treats people who can do him absolutely no good." In the Christian Scriptures, the Apostle Paul talks about entertaining "angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:1) What these writers are talking about here is more than an act. It’s an attitude - about life, about people, and most importantly, about the...

      DISAPPOINTMENTS Disappointments come to all of us; and the more I see of life, the more convinced I am that one of the most important lessons anyone can learn is how to handle these disappointments. One of the great disappointments in my youth happened during my sophomore year in high school when I was running for class president. The class elected a cute brunette cheerleader. Another popular girl, another of the cheerleaders, came in second. And I trailed the field with only four votes. That was quite a blow to a cocky young boy to be...

      YOUR RELIGION, NOT MINE "Religion is a great force, the only real motive force in the world. But you must get at [someone] through [her/his] own religion, not yours." -- George Bernard Shaw Real wisdom here; real insight. The adage presupposes the benefits of faith, but it nicely understands that faith is a personal matter unique to each individual. This is not to subvert the strength of organized or institutional religions, but rather to highlight the personal element each must bring to belief. Faith groups, temples, churches, creeds, doctrines, organizations . . . all of these...

      HIGH FLIGHT John Gillespie Magee, Jr. was a pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Shortly before his plane was shot down during World War II, he wrote a poem called "High Flight." The last stanza reads: Up, up the long delirious, burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace, Where never lark, or even eagle, flew; And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God. John Magee was only nineteen years old when he wrote these words. Today...

      THE WOMAN WITH THE ROSE John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose. His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind....

      TODAY I CHOOSE TO SUCCEED! I am here because of prior choices I have made. My thoughts control my actions. My actions determine my destiny. My destiny is controlled by my choices. Today, I choose to … • Live my life with honor, courage and commitment, • Follow the rules and do my best in all my endeavors, • Perform like a mature and professional military person, • Be honest with myself and not make excuses for my actions • Admit when I’m wrong and be held accountable • Maintain a positive attitude. I am who...

      GOLDEN MOMENTS Once upon a time, there was a little boy from "the wrong side of the tracks" who grew up admiring a beautiful house high on the hill overlooking his town. Fortunately, he never lacked for any of the necessities of life, but he hated being "poor." He noticed that people treated him differently, and it pained him to see his parents work so hard just to make ends meet. It just didn't seem right that some should be so favored and others should have so little. But his parents has instilled some rather clear...