A Million Dollar Question:
Why do bad things happen to good people?

Many tragic stories raise a vexing question
which we rarely find answers: why does God
let misfortune wreck the lives of so many good people?
why does he let suffering bring tears to
the eyes of so many fine individuals? The reasons
indeed are mysterious and only fools can define
the reasons which the wise may not.
Jesus gives us a hint: Whoever loses his life for my sake
will find it. Whoever accepts suffering
and misfortune for His sake will find a whole new life,
a far richer and meaningful life. God can use tragedy
and misfortune to guide us into a newer and better lives.
Today, whatever situations we are in - financial difficulties,
family problems and personal tragedy - we pick up our
cross and follow Jesus. He can mend our broken dreams
and lead us into a renewed appreciation of life that we
never dream possible. We trust in His assurance: whoever
loses his life for my sake will find it. We may never
understand the mystery of misfortune in this life but
certainly we will in the later years of our lives.

An old Poem: "The Folded Page"

Up in the attic of an old house, as raindrops pattered
on the roof, I sat paging through my old schoolbook.

I came to a page that was folded down. Across it was
written in my childish hand: "The teacher says we should
leave this for now. It's hard to understand."
I unfolded the page and read it. Then I smiled and
nodded my head and said: "The teacher was right;
now I understand."

There are many pages in the book of life that are
hard to understand. All we can do is fold them down
and write: "The Master says to leave this for now.
It's hard to understand."

Then, someday, somehow, in heaven,
we 'll unfold the pages , reread them and say,
"The Master was right; now I understand."
[Unknown]

Crosses can turn out to be blessings in disguise
if we then understand. It really takes awhile.
If we pick up the cross and follow in the footsteps
of Jesus, our cross can become a blessing and
a stepping stone to greater things. Our cross can
serve as an agent of life - our fullness of life.

The consolation of Jesus can be summarized
in this poem:

I asked for health, that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing I asked for, but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers
were answered. I am among all men most richly
blessed. [Unknown]

Today's joy was born of yesterday's sorrow

Who said the "darkness of the night"
Would never turn to day ...
Who said the "winter's bleakness"
Would never pass away ...
Who said the fog would never lift
And let the sunshine through ...
Who said the skies now overcast
Would nevermore be blue ...
Why should we ever entertain
These thoughts so dark and grim
And let the brightness of our mind
Grow cynical and dim ...
When we know beyond all questioning
That winter turns to spring ...
And on the notes of sorrow
New songs are made to sing ...
For no one sheds a teardrop
Or suffers loss in vain,
For God is always there to turn
Our losses into gain.
And every burden born TODAY
And every present sorrow
Are but God's happy harbingers
Of a joyous, bright TOMORROW!
[Helen Steiner Rice]~

On Eagle's Wings

You who dwell...(On eagles wings)
who abide in His shadow for life,
say to the Lord: 'My refuge,
my God in whom I trust!'

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
and famine will bring you no fear:
under His wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day;
though thousands fall about you,
near you it shall not come.

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand.

For to His angels He's given a command
to guard you in all of your ways
upon their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand.
[Author Unknown]

God Knows

When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts...
God knows how hard you have tried.
When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish...
God has counted your tears.
If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by...
God is waiting with you.
When you're lonely and your friends are too busy
even for a phone call...
God is by your side.
When you think you've tried everything
and don't know where to turn...
God has a solution.
When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated...
God has the answer.
If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope...
God has whispered to you.
When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for...
God has blessed you.
When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe...
God has smiled upon you.
When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow...
God has opened your eyes and called you by name.
Remember that wherever you are or
whatever you are facing...GOD KNOWS.

IN THIS LIFE
Mike Hall

In This Life,
You'll have days of bright and blue
with good friends and laughter....
enough to see you through.
In This Life,
There will be misery and doubt
things you scratch your head at....
and just can't figure out.
In This Life,
You'll have dreams that reach the sky
and passion to move you....
until the day you die.
In This Life,
There will be days of pain and loss
and times when your only comfort is
The Man upon The Cross.
In This Life,
You'll imagine what could be
and think the world is yours for all eternity.
In This Life,
There are trials you must face
and days when the world leaves you lost without a trace.
In This Life,
We are called to help the poor
to leave the cushy comfort that rests behind our door.
In This Life,
You’ll be astounded at how quickly years go by
and look back at memories that often make you cry.
In This Life,
You'll taste both victory and defeat
and make mistakes that wisdom won't allow you to repeat.
In This Life,
You'll find answers to the questions you hold dear
and live for Him who'll take away your worries and your fear.

Family Quotes

"There's one sad truth in life I've found,
While journeying east and west
The only folks we really wound,
Are those we love the best.
We flatter those we scarcely know,
We please the fleeting guest,
And deal full many a thoughtless blow,
To those who love us best."
[Ella Wheeler Wilcox]


"The happiest moments of my life
have been the few which I have passed
at home in the bosom of my family."
[ Thomas Jefferson]


"A father may turn his back on his child,
brothers and sisters may become
inveterate enemies, husbands may desert
their wives, wives their husbands.
But a mother's love endures through all"
[Washington Irving]

The Eternal Family Circle
Melissa D. Nocito

In a ring like a circle
Our family, nothing could break
We had no Idea it was you
That God had on his list "next to take"
A faith in God you kept so strong
All throughout the years
As others watched you, their example
To their unfaithful eyes came tears.
Never once complaining
Never saying "oh God, why me?"
Taking in all the pain
That no one else could see.
With a headache we will whimper
With a toothache one will cry
But no matter what happened to you
I don't remember even hearing a sigh.
You coughing at night reassured me
That you were feeling "OK".
It let me know that you were here
And I'd see you the next day.
You never questioned God
You simply accepted his rules
And no matter how helpless someone seemed
You never dared to call people fools.
You were like my earthly angel
Watching over me silently
And no matter what we did
You always loved your family.
Even though your not here now
We keep you in our hearts.
We know we'll see you in heaven
When it's our turn to depart.
Walking the white staircase
Through the pearly gates
You can hear the angels singing
A big bright smile is on your face.
Someday we can join you
And our circle will remain
But till we get to heaven
Our memories will help the pain.
You'll never be forgotten
We certainly will miss you
We know that you loved us
And you knew that we loved you.
A circle can't be broken
It goes on eternally.
And although we no longer see you
You're still part of this family.
And as much as we all love living,
And remembering you in our own way
We can't wait for God to come get us
So we can see you again someday.

THE HOUSE YOU ARE BUILDING

Every spirit builds itself a house,
And beyond its house a world,
And beyond its world a heaven.
Know then that the world
Exist for you. For you is
The phenomenon perfect.

What we are, that only can we see.
All that Adam had, all that Caesar could,
You have and can do. Adam called his house,
heaven and earth. Caesar called his house,
Rome.

You perhaps call yours a cobbler's trade;
a scholar's garret. yet line for line and point
for point, your dominion is as great as theirs,
though without fine names.

Build therefore your own world. As fast
as you conform your life to the pure idea in
your mind, that will unfold into great proportions.
[Ralph Waldo Emerson]

HOME FOLKS

Home folks - love 'em, well I guess,
Hearts jest made of real kindness;
Miss 'em - I should say I do,
Don't find many folks as true.
Seems like now I jes' can hear
Home folks words of love and cheer,
Knowin' I've a welcome there
Truer an' warmer'n anywhere.

Home folks ain't jes' family kin,
They're the folks with whom you've been
Reared and raised for years an' years,
Minglin' all your smiles an' tears.
Till they seem a part o' you
From yer childhood clear on through,
Standin' by you, lose or win,
Same as real blood, kith an' kin.

Makes no difference what you do,
Seems like homefolks still stay true;
Overlookin' wayward ways,
Jes' rememberin' happy days,
Er when praise is but yer due
Fer something you've tried to do,
Homefolks hands are quick to clasp
Yours in proud an' hearty grasp.

Stranger folks are purty nice,
Distant things lure an' entice,
But I like home folks the bes'!
Bein' with 'em's like a res'.
When death comes an' I must go,
Wish that I could only know
That there'd be some home folks nigh,
Sorter watchin', linger' by.
[Ruth Yoland Shaw]

HOUSE AND HOME

Anyone can build an altar;
it requires God to provide the flame.
Anyone can build a house; we need
the Lord for the creation of a home.

A house is a agglomeration of brick
and stones, with an assorted collection
of manufactured goods; a home is the
abiding-place of ardent affection,
of fervent hope, of genial trust.

There is many a homeless man who lives
in a richly furnished house. There is many
a fifteen-pound house in a crowded street
which is an illuminated and beautiful home.

There is sumptuously furnished house may
only be an exquisitely sculptured tomb;
the scantily furnished house may be
the very hearthstone of the eternal God.
[John Henry Jowett]

WHAT MAKES A HOME

A man can build a mansion
Anywhere this world about,
A man can build a palace
Richly furnish it throughout.

A man can build a mansion
Or a tiny cottage fair,
But it's not the hallowed place
called "Home"
'Til Mother's dwelling there.

A man can build a mansion
With a high and spacious dome,
But no man in this world can build
That precious thing called "Home."

A man can build a mansion
Carting treasures o'er the foam,
Yes, a man can build the building
But a woman makes it "Home."


"What makes a home?"
I asked my little boy,
And this is what he said,
"You, mother,
And when father comes.
Our table set all shiny,
And my bed,
And mother, I think it's home,
Because we love each other."

You who are old and wise,
What would you say
If you were asked the question?
Tell me, pray.

And simply as a little child,
The old wise ones can answer
nothing more -
A man, a woman and a child,
Their love,
Warm as the gold hearth fire
along the floor,
A table, a lamp for light.
And smooth white beds at night
Only the old sweet fundamental things.

And long ago I learned -
Home may be near, home may be far
But it is anywhere
That love
And a few plain household treasures are.

WHERE IS HOME?

I turned an ancient poet's book
And found upon the page,
"Stone walls do not a prison make
Or iron bars a cage."
Yes, that is true, and something more,
You will find where'er you roam
That marble floors and gilded walls
Can never make a home.
But everywhere that love abides,
And friendship is a guest
Is surely home, and home sweet home,
For there the soul can rest.
[Henry Van Dyke]

Mother

As long as we carried to your knees
The tales and treasures of eventful days,
Knowing no deed too humble for your praise,
Nor any gift too trivial to please,

So still we bring with older smiles and tears,
What gifts we may to claim the old, dear right;
Your faith beyond the silence and the night;
Your love still close and watching through the years.

Our Home

And where we love is home,
Home that our feet may leave,
but not our hearts,
The chain may lengthen,
but it never parts.
[Oliver Wendell Holmes]

We need to think of the home
as the cradle into which
the future is born.
We need to think of a family
as the nursery in which
the social order is being reared.
The family is a covenant of posterity.
[Sidney Goldstein]

I would say to all: use your gentlest
voice at home. Watch it day by day,
as a pearl of great price; for it will be
worth to you in days to come more
than the best pearl hid in the sea.

A kind voice is joy, like a lark's song,
to hearth at home. It is a light that
sings as well as shines. Train it to
sweet tones now and it will keep
in tune through life.
[Elihu Burrit]

Home is the place where character is built,
where sacrifices to contribute to
the happiness of others are made,
and where love has taken up its abode.
[Elijah Kellog]

Home to me is Laughter...
Kisses on the cheek
when they're least expected;
Glances filled with gladness;
The happiness in knowing
I'm a portion of
My family's fulfilment.
Home to me... is Love.
[June Brown Harris]

What makes a home?

Love and sympathy and confidence,
The memories of childhood,
The kindness of parents.
The bright hopes of youth,
The sister's pride,
The brothers' sympathy and help,
The mutual confidence,
The common hopes and interests
and sorrows -
These create and sanctify the home.
[John Lubbock]

FAMILY

When it's family,
You forgive them for they know not what they do.
When it's family,
You accept them, 'cause you have no choice but to,

When it's family,
They're a mirror of the worst and the best in you,
And they always put you to the test,
And you always try to do your best,
And just pray to God to do the rest, when it's family.
And when it's family,You trust them.
And your heart is an open door.

When it's family,
You tolerate, what you'd feel others for.
When it's family,You love and hate and take, then give some more.
Somehow you justify mistakes,
Try to find some better way to solve
The day to day problems in the family.
(Dolly Parton)

Inspiration

No one should negotiate their dreams. Dreams must be free to flee and fly high. No government, no legislature, has a right to limit your dreams. You should never agree to surrender your dreams.
[Rev. Jesse Jackson]

The future depends on what we do in the present.Mahatma Gandhi Inspiration and genius--one and the same.
[Victor Hugo]

Nothing is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings.
[Ralph Blum]

On Triumph and Defeat. There are some defeats more triumphant than victories. [Montaigne,Essays]

On Faith and Inspiration. The world has no room for cowards. We must all be ready somehow to toil, to suffer, to die. And yours is not the less noble because no drum beats before you when you go out into your daily battlefields, and no crowds shout about your coming when you return from your daily victory or defeat.
[Robert Louis Stevenson]

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat...We must find each other.
[Mother Teresa]

It is possible to provide security against other ills, but as far as death is concerned, we men live in a city without walls.
[Epicurus]

Healthy children will not fear life if their elders have integrity enough not to fear death.
Erik H. Erikson]

There are so many little dyings that it doesn't matter which of them is death. [Kenneth Patchen]

Desiderata

GO PLACIDLY AMID THE NOISE AND THE HASTE, AND REMEMBER WHAT PEACE THERE MAY BE IN SILENCE.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they, too, have their story.Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater or lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in you own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you for what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere live is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the council of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, 1927

Peace

Man never grows up,
he only grows older,
losing on his way
the happiness
of seeing a butterfly
on a blade of grass
and shedding
the simple smile
and simple honesty
of childhood. . .
carrying with him
the loneliness and fear,
the insecurity and rivalry
that clouds his days
with discontent.

Yet, there are still
a few among us
who walk with peace;
having neither envy
nor anger;
neither fear of death
nor hunger for wealth,
who live out their years
with a calm smile . . .
untouched
by the brutal hunger
of other men !
[Tom Weber]

A Smile

A Smile Costs Nothing,
but gives much.
It enriches those who receive
without making poorer those who give.
It takes but a moment
but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.
None is so rich and mighty that he can get along without it,
and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it.

A Smile creates happiness in the home,
fosters goodwill in business,
and is the countersign of friendship.
A smile brings rest to the weary,
cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad,
and it is nature's best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen,
for it is something that is of no value to anyone
until it is given away.

Some people are too tired to give you a smile,
Give them one of yours,
as none needs a smile so much
as he who has no more to give.
[Anon]

Cornelia's Jewels

It was a bright morning in the old city
of Rome many hundred years ago. Two
brothers were playing in a garden when
their mother, called them into the house.
"A friend is coming to dine today," she told
them. "She is very rich, and she will show us
her jewels.'

Soon the woman arrived. Her fingers sparkled
with rings. Her arms glittered with bracelets.
Chains of gold hung about her neck, and strands
of pearls gleamed in her hair.

"Did you see anyone so pretty?" the young boy
whispered to his brother. "She looks like a queen!"

They gazed at their own mother, who was dressed
only in a white robe. Her hands and arms were bare,
and for a crown she had only braids of soft brown hair
coiled about her head. But her kind smile seemed to
light her face more than any bright stone could.

"Would you like to see some more of my treasures?"
the rich woman asked. A servant brought a box
and set it on a table. When the lady opened it,
there were heaps of blood rubies, sapphires as blue
as the sky, emeralds as green as the sea, diamonds
that flashed like sunlight.

The brothers looked long at the gems. "
Ah!" whispered the younger. "if only our mother
could have such beautiful things." At last, however,
the box was closed and carried away. "Tell me,
Cornelia," the rich woman said with a pitying smile,
"Is it true you have no jewels? Is it true you are
too poor?"

Cornelia, smiled. "Not at all," she said. "I have jewels
far more valuable than yours."

"Then let me see them," the lady laughed.
"Where are they?" Cornelia drew her boys to her side.
"These are my jewels," She smiled. "Are they not far
more precious than your gems?"

The two boys, tiberius and Caius Gracchus, never
forgot their mother's pride and love and care.
Years later, when they had become great statesmen
of Rome, they liked to think of this scene in the garden.
And when the Roman people erected statues to honor
the brothers, they did not forget to pay tribute to
the woman who showed them how to be wise and
good. The Romans inscribed her tomb this way:
"Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi."

Beautiful Hands

These hands are clean, indeed,
but, they are hard from toil.
These hands have been helping mothers
and fathers dry the dishes, and sweep
the floor, and wash the windows, and
weed the garden. These hands have
been taking care of the baby, and
carrying hot tea to Grandma, and
showing little brother how to build
his blocks and fly his kites. Yes,
these hands have been making
the house a happy home, full of love
and care.

Then, an old woman fumbled in her pocket
and brought out a ring set with diamonds,
with rubies redder than strawberries,
and turquoise bluer than violets.

"Here, wear this ring, my child." "You
deserve the prize for the most beautiful
hands, for they have been most helpful."

Philosophy of Life

Wisdom has always been regarded
as the sibling virtue of morality.

We live in a world - from womb
to tomb. We have our own stories
and our own glories. We ponder and
we testify; life indeed is a journey.
Our journey is profound and
passionate. We oblige ourselves
to share our stories so that those
who are behind us may learn to
follow the track and may find life,
worth the journey. Our experiences
are passed down from one generation
to the next and thus begins the cycle
of life. Life boils down to finding meaning
as we journey the process of existence,
called life. We learn. We teach. We search
for answers and share these answers.
Very few listen. The process continues
and never end. Our question remains
and the answer is always searched,
always never definite, each according to
one life's purpose and existence.
We quest and we search - never a goal
nor a direction, but a vicious cycle.
Philosophy is full of complication and
the same way with life; we are never
satisfied as long as we are alive.

MY TWO HOMES
(Many children feel at home
in their house because they
know it is part of God's house)

Of all the houses in the world
The one that I love best
Is that in which I wake and play
And lay me down to rest.

My father built it by his toil;
My mother makes its a home;
You cannot find a lovelier place
No matter where you roam.

The rooms are clean and bright
and fair with pictures, books,
and toys, and food, and clothes,
and beds, and chairs
For all the girls and boys.

We children work and care for it,
And help to keep it clean,
Our palace of true happiness,
Where mother reigns as queen,
and my father guards us with his strength,
A wise and gracious king,
To whom we pay the honor due,
And glad obedience bring.

So full of love and joy it is,
So safe and bright and warm,
I would not go too far from it
Lest I should come to harm.

And yet when I go out of doors
And look up at the sky
I know I'm in my Father's house,
And that His love is nigh.

For God is Father - Mother, too!
The world is my big home;
The green grass is the carpet,
And the blue sky is the dome.

On every side are pictures;
The fields are full of food;
And all the things that God has made
are beautiful and good.

He keeps me by His mighty power,
He loves me as a child;
His paths are bright with happiness,
His laws are just and mild.

And all His children in this house,
So wonderful and fair,
should love each other, learn His truth,
And trust His love and care.

I thank Thee, Father, for these homes,
Where we may dwell with Thee,
And cast out fear, and share the joys
Thou givest full and free.
[Henry Hallam Tweedy]

YOUR MOTHER

A young man was walking through a supermarket
to pick up a few things when he noticed an old lady
following him around. Thinking nothing of it,
he ignored her and continued on. Finally he went
to the checkout line, but she got in front of him.
"Pardon me," she said, "I am sorry if my staring
at you has made you feel uncomfortable. It's just that
you look like my son, who just died recently."
"I am very sorry," replied the young man,
"is there anything I can do for you?"
"Yes," she said, "as I 'm leaving, can you say
'Goodbye,Mother'? It would make me feel so much better."
"Sure," answered the young man.
As the old woman was leaving, he called out,
"Goodbye, Mother!"
As he stepped up to the checkout counter,
he saw that his total was $127.50.
"How can that be?" he asked, "I only purchased a few things!"
"You mother said that you would pay for her," said the clerk.

YOU 'RE A MOM WHEN

You know you 're a mom when you 're up each night until 10 pm,
vacuuming, dusting, wiping, washing, drying, loading, unloading,
shopping, cooking, driving, flushing, ironing, sweeping, picking up,
changing sheets, changing diapers, bathing, helping with homework,
paying bills, budgeting, clipping coupons, folding clothes, putting to
bed, dragging out of bed, brushing, chasing, buckling, feeding
(them, not you), PLUS, swinging, playing baseball, bike riding,,
pushing trucks, cuddling dolls, rollerblading, basketball, football,
catch bubbles, sprinklers, slides, nature walks, coloring, crafts,
jumping rope, PLUS raking, trimming, planting, edging, mowing,
gardening, painting, and walking the dog. You get up at 5:30 am
and you have no time to eat, sleep, drink or go to the bathroom,
and yet.. you still manage to gain 10 pounds.

Tags: The miracle worker