My Life in Red and White

I found this quote on friendship really inspiring. I hope it blesses your day as it did mine. I hope it reminds you that true friends are gifts from God and we should value them.  "B ut in Friendship, being free  of all that, we think we  have chosen our peers.  In  reality, a few years'  difference in the dates of  our births, a few more  miles between certain  houses, the choice of one  university instead of  another, posting to  different regiments, the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting—any of these chances might have kept us apart.  But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances. A secret Master of the Ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you," can truly say to every group of Christian friends "You have not chosen o...

Here's to good friends! To seemingly bad friends! To loud friends and silent friends To friends whose laughter drive away sorrow And friends whose presence drive loneliness back into the shadows Friends radiating sunshine on cold winter days A cup of Coffee (scratch that, Tea), conversation, a burden shared. For friends who don't judge but listen and lend a helping hand. In the midst of the "I told you so's" is  a shoulder I know I can always lean on A kind word, a thoughtful prayer, a smile, an embrace, Food! oh yes food! The joys of sharing and caring for each other. Happy chatter, soulful moments Tears shared, words said, Today, tomorrow, forever I know I have a friend in you For this honour and privilege, I am truly grateful! Michael W. Smith - Friends 

So I've been making my 'Happiness is ....' list. Its a list of things that I'm grateful for. I'm learning to apply 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to every aspect of my life. So in that moment of gratitude, I simply say 'Happiness is ... and i complete it with what I'm grateful for! so in no particular order of priority, here's my 'Happiness is list. HAPPINESS IS ..... J  Happiness is ..... family we fight we quarrel but we know at the end of the day, we've got each other. J  Happiness is ..... clean underwear you never really appreciate it until you run out  J  Happiness is ..... having a good night's sleep Trust me! I know! no barking dogs, crying babies or calls to prayer! (I love them all, but I love my sleep too!) J  Happiness is .....   Coldstone   ice cream on a hot afternoon no further explanations needed! J  Happiness is ..... memories Good memories,  bad memories, memorable memories or the memories you downright want...

Was it before or after the rain? Waking up with a vague reminder A torrent went through here yesterday Branches hanging, leaves strewn all over Makeshift sand dunes in the middle of the road Dust bins turned over, revealing their contents or was it hearts torn open spilling their secrets Was it before or after the rain? Thunder, lightening,  Raised voices, shrieking, screaming Gusts of wind, puffs of breath, in anticipation of a storm Was it before or after the rain? Raindrops pelting warm into the hot dry earth Teardrops falling, cold hearts holding reproach Was it before or after the rain? Waking up with a vague reminder A hole in my heart A torrent went through here yesterday I know, I still feel it Was it before or after the rain?

The  Lord  is my shepherd;      I have everything I need.   He lets me rest in fields of green grass      and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.   He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths,      as he has promised. Even if I go through the deepest darkness,      I will not be afraid,  Lord ,      for you are with me. Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me. You prepare a banquet for me,     where all my enemies can see me; you welcome me as an honored guest      and fill my cup to the brim. I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life;       and your house will be my home as long as I live. Psalm 23 GNT A mighty fortress is our God

But for you, sunrise!   The sun of righteousness will dawn on those who honor my name, healing radiating from its wings. You will be bursting with energy, like colts frisky and frolicking. Mal. 4:2 (MSG) Hello Grief,  Its been a while since we've been friends. Since you walked into my life on that sunny January afternoon a few years ago. Now you've refused to leave. I know you, what you feel like, what you look like and even what you sound like. It's interesting that whenever I think our friendship's over, you manage to find your way back and restart it all over again. It's like a roller coaster ride with no end in sight. at first it was exhilarating, but now, i'm tired! Tired of this ride, tired of the "oohs" and "aahs", tired of the "eyah's" and pitied glances, tired of the careful words and practiced gimmicks, I'M TIRED! They tell me our relationship has to go through five stages in order to get resolved, but th...

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28   (AMP) 'Every cloud has a silver lining'... that's how the saying goes. But sometimes, it's hard to see the silver lining in the dreary dark clouds. Disappointments have a way of leaving one with a 'wasted' feeling. Like waking up with a hang over and wondering ... 'why did I do this to myself?'. But disappointments leave you feeling hungover on hope. Yup. Hope. That light at the end of the tunnel, that ray of sunshine we keep waiting for ... but when it never comes we wonder? 'why?' That's the word that captures the hungover feeling ... 'WHY?' 'Why did I bother to put myself out there and hope?' 'WHY?'  We feel like sometimes letting sleeping dogs lie is good and sometimes burying ...